Accident Details
The accident occurred on 26 August 2015 at Żar Airfield (EPZR) near Żywiec, Poland. The aircraft involved was a SZD-48-1 Jantar Std. 2 glider, registration SP-3172, operated by Górska Szkoła Szybowcowa AP Żar. The glider was occupied by a single pilot, who sustained fatal injuries. The glider was significantly damaged.
Sequence of Events
At 13:03 local time, the glider began a training flight, towed by an airplane. Takeoffs were conducted from runway heading 220°. The wind was from approximately 300° at 2-3 m/s, with 3/8 cumulus cloud cover at a base of about 1400 m. During the initial takeoff run, the glider's left wing touched the ground, and the glider deviated about 30° from the intended direction. The flight instructor radioed the glider pilot to release the tow rope, but the pilot did not comply. The glider lifted off at a height of 3-4 m while in a right traverse, then turned right and banked onto its right wing. The tow rope release occurred during a left traverse, followed by touchdown. During the landing roll, the glider ground-looped to the left and ended up about 110° from the takeoff direction.
Causes
The accident cause was the pilot's failure to immediately release the tow rope after the glider lost directional control during the initial takeoff run, when the left wing dropped to the ground.
Aftermath
The glider sustained substantial damage. The investigation was conducted by the State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL). No safety recommendations were issued, and no preventive actions were taken by the investigating body.