What happened
On October 1, 2015, a flight instructor and a passenger were operating an SZD-54-2 Perkoz glider, registration SP-3796, for a winch launch from Gotartowice airport (EPRG). The launch was conducted on a heading of approximately 120°, and the glider successfully released from the winch at an altitude of about 220 meters. Following release, the pilot attempted to locate thermal lift, but the rising air dissipated, causing the glider to lose altitude in a continuous descent.
As the aircraft lost sufficient height to complete a standard landing pattern, the pilot decided to land on the runway in a direction opposite to the takeoff, landing with a headwind. The landing path was planned across the area where the winch cables were being retracted. During the final phase of the landing roll, the right wingtip struck a vehicle that was in the process of retrieving the winch lines. Subsequently, the leading edge of the left wing struck a radio antenna mast positioned in the airfield area.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the user's commission, examined the flight path, the pilot's decision-making process, and the physical damage to the aircraft. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained significant damage to the right wingtip, including the spar and the aileron attachment hardware, as well as damage to the left wing's leading edge. The crew exited the aircraft without injuries.
Findings
- The pilot made the improper decision to land directly across the deployed winch cables rather than utilizing the designated landing runway, despite there being no other movement on the airfield.
- The pilot failed to maneuver the aircraft to avoid the obstacles located in the landing path.
- The pilot did not initiate a standard landing pattern after release, attempting instead to find thermals below a critical altitude.
- The pilot failed to account for wind conditions when choosing to land in a direction opposite to the takeoff heading.