What happened
On August 9, 2014, during the Regional Gliding Competitions, an SZD-30 Pirat glider lost contact with thermal lift, necessitating an emergency landing in an unprepared field near Odry, Pomeranian Voivodeship. The pilot successfully identified a suitable landing site and executed a proper approach. However, immediately prior to touchdown, the aircraft struck an earthen embankment covered in grass. The embankment was not visible from the air during the approach.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances of the landing and the visibility of obstacles within the chosen landing area. The inquiry established that while the pilot's decision-making regarding the landing site and the flight path were correct, the presence of an obscured obstacle led to the impact. The aircraft sustained serious damage during the collision, though the pilot remained uninjured.