What happened
On August 14, 2015, at approximately 17:30, a PW-5 Smyk glider, registration SP-3739, was participating in the first competition of the Junior Polish Glider Championships. During the flight, the pilot experienced a loss of thermal lift, causing the aircraft to descend to an altitude of approximately 300 meters AGL. Due to the lack of lift, the pilot decided to perform an off-field landing in a nearby field consisting of rapeseed stubble.
The pilot executed a 180-degree turn to align for the landing. As the aircraft stabilized on the final approach, the pilot observed that the terrain was sloping downward and featured transverse irregularities. Given the remaining altitude, there was insufficient height to select an alternative landing site. The glider made contact with the ground before reaching these irregularities, bounced off the first bump, and struck the ground again. The aircraft continued to roll over several subsequent uneven sections of the field before coming to a halt.
Following the impact, the pilot noted that the cockpit canopy had detached from its forward mounting. A subsequent inspection revealed damage to the forward wheel mounting and structural damage to the composite laminate in the forward section of the cockpit.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the circumstances of the landing and the condition of the terrain. The investigators examined the flight path, the decision-making process regarding the landing site, and the physical state of the SP-3739 following the impact. The investigation established that the terrain features were not visible from the air during the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the landing on a rapeseed stubble field containing surface irregularities that were not visible from the air.
- The pilot's decision to land in the field was necessitated by the loss of thermal lift and insufficient altitude to reach an aerodrome.