Event Details
On 25 May 2016, a training flight involving a SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider at EPPT airport resulted in a collision with a tractor used for glider towing. The glider was being operated by a student pilot under the supervision of an instructor. The flight was part of a series of training sessions using a winch launch from runway 03 with a right-hand traffic pattern. Weather conditions included a weak wind from 010° at approximately 3.5 m/s.
Flight Sequence
Three gliders had launched ahead for thermal flights. Before the accident flight, the supervising instructor briefed the student on the traffic pattern, accounting for the prevailing weather. The launch, release, and pattern construction were conducted correctly with two-way communication maintained throughout.
After completing the fourth turn, the instructor observed that the glider's flight path deviated left of the intended landing direction and issued commands to correct right. Despite repeated instructions, the student did not respond. During the final approach, the glider's left wing, approximately 1 meter from the wingtip, struck the backrest of the tractor's seat. The glider then flew at very low altitude over a square area, causing the instructor to throw himself to the ground to avoid being hit. The glider subsequently landed on the neutral strip at the height of the arrow marker. During the landing roll, the glider slightly veered left.
Post-Landing Statements
After landing, the student admitted that she had misjudged the wind correction, causing the flight path to deviate from the runway centerline. She also stated that she had heard the instructor's commands but could not rationally explain why she did not comply. On the day of the accident, the student had a total flight time of 12 hours and 20 minutes, including 1 hour and 22 minutes of solo time. Earlier in the season, she had flown on 21 May (three pattern flights totaling 12 minutes), 23 May (three flights totaling 32 minutes), and 24 May (a thermal flight of 1 hour and 30 minutes). The instructor had no remarks on those flights, assessing them as well executed.
Cause and Preventive Measures
The investigation determined the cause of the accident to be adopting too large a wind correction during the landing approach and the lack of reaction to the supervising instructor's commands. As a preventive measure, additional check flights were conducted with the student, after which she was cleared for further solo flights. No safety recommendations were formulated by the commission. The commission commented that errors during approach planning can occur at any training stage and emphasized the importance of avoiding decision block (stupor) in unusual situations, suggesting that instructors simulate similar events during subsequent training to assess and improve student reactions.