What happened
On June 1, 2014, during the "Jantar Cup" regional gliding competition in Piła, Poland, two gliders collided at an altitude of approximately 880 m AGL. The aircraft involved were an SZD 48-3 Jantar Std-3 (registration SP-3674) and an SZD 41A Jantar Std (registration SP-3821).
Both pilots attempted emergency parachute descents following the impact. The pilot of the SP-3821 successfully deployed his parachute and landed on a school field without injury. However, the pilot of the SP-3674 was unable to deploy his parachute and died upon impact with a parked car. The collision caused both aircraft to disintegrate in mid-air. Debris from the fuselage of the SP-3821 struck a residential fence, causing serious injuries to a pedestrian.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the flight paths, meteorological conditions, and the mechanical state of the aircraft. Analysis of the wreckage and flight data indicated that the collision occurred while the pilots were maneuvering near strong thermal currents. The investigation also focused on the failure of the emergency parachute deployment for the pilot of the SP-3674. Evidence, including small tears in the parachute handle pocket and injuries to the pilot's hands, suggested a struggle to pull the release handle.
Findings
- The collision occurred because of improper airspace observation and a lack of divided attention while circling near a thermal column containing numerous other gliders.
- The most likely cause of the pilot's death in the SP-3674 was that the parachute release handle had been secured inside its pocket with a plastic cable tie (zip tie), which prevented the pilot from pulling the handle to deploy the parachute.
- Both aircraft were technically airworthy and the weather conditions did not contribute to the accident.