What happened
On June 5, 2016, a pilot operating a Schleicher ASH 31Mi self-launching glider departed from the EPSU airfield with the intention of flying to Leszno. Shortly after takeoff, upon reaching an altitude of approximately 80 meters, the pilot initiated a right-hand turn. During the flight, the pilot reported an intention to land, citing an error in the original flight plan. The takeoff and landing procedures were being conducted using runway 240º.
While maintaining this low altitude, the pilot shut down the engine. Crucially, the engine was not retracted. As the pilot continued the landing pattern, the aircraft entered a third turn, followed by a fourth turn at an altitude of only about 10 meters. During this fourth turn, the glider entered a stall, causing the wing to strike crops in an adjacent field. This impact caused the glider to rotate 90 degrees and resulted in minor damage to the right wingtip and the aileron suspension. Following a brief inspection and a provisional repair, the pilot decided to restart the engine and proceed to Leszno.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and the aerodynamic state of the aircraft following the engine shutdown. The investigators analyzed the pilot's decision-making process regarding the altitude at which the engine was deactivated and the subsequent maneuvers performed at a critically low height.