What happened
On June 7, 2014, at approximately 14:30 LMT, a pilot instructor was conducting a test flight in a J-6 Fregata motor glider, registration SP-8055, at the Piotrków Trybunalski (EPPT) airfield. Following the completion of the test flight, the pilot initiated an approach to runway 21. After waiting for parachutists to land and for a Turbolet aircraft to clear the runway, the pilot performed an extended landing pattern.
Due to the Turbolet aircraft taxiing on the main runway, the pilot decided to land on the adjacent grass strip. This area contained recently mown grass bales. During the final phase of the landing roll, the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot's reaction to the loss of directional control was delayed, resulting in the left wingtip striking a grass bale. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate 180 degrees, coming to a stop approximately 40 meters from the initial landing direction.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of events leading to the loss of directional control and the subsequent structural damage to the aircraft. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making regarding the landing site and the aircraft's interaction with obstacles on the grass strip.
Findings
- The pilot made an inappropriate decision to land on a grass strip that contained terrain obstacles in the form of grass bales.
- The pilot failed to react in a timely manner when the aircraft began to deviate from its course during the landing roll, leading to the wingtip strike.