What happened
On July 12, 2015, an SZD-48 Jantar Std 2 glider, registration SP-3117, operated by Aeroklub "ORLĄT", was conducting a training flight from Dęblin Airport (EPDE). During the flight, the pilot utilized strong thermal currents to maintain altitude over forested areas. Around 15:30, the thermal lift began to weaken, a change the pilot did not immediately notice while searching for stronger lift.
As the glider's altitude decreased, the pilot realized they could not reach the home airfield. Instead of selecting a suitable field for an immediate off-field landing, the pilot continued flying toward southern forests. Under significant stress, the pilot attempted to find remaining thermals, resulting in several maneuvers at very low altitudes. At approximately 37 meters, the pilot attempted a 180-degree turn to avoid power lines crossing a potential landing field. During a subsequent 180-degree turn at an altitude of only 18 meters, the pilot attempted to reduce bank angle to avoid ground contact, which induced a high-speed slip. This led to a stall and a subsequent impact with the ground in the first phase of a spin.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the flight data recorded in the IGC file, the wreckage of the SP-3117, and the pilot's flight experience. The investigation analyzed the sequence of maneuvers, the presence of obstacles such as power lines, and the pilot's decision-making process during the final stages of the flight. The wreckage showed a shattered forward fuselage, a cracked tail boom, and damage to the leading edge of the right wing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's error in making the decision to land in an off-field location too late.
- The pilot's lack of recent experience on the SZD-48 Jantar Std 2 was a contributing factor; the pilot had performed only 14 flights on this specific type since 2012, with only three occurring in 2015.
- The presence of overhead power lines forced the pilot into high-risk maneuvering at extremely low altitudes.
- The pilot's attempt to prevent wing-tip ground contact during a low-altitude turn caused a slip that led to the stall.