Incident Details
On 7 August 2016, at approximately 12:10 local time, a glider pilot departed from Mielec Airport (EPML) in a privately owned SZD-42-2 Jantar 2B (registration SP-3278) with the intention of completing a 512 km cross-country flight. After about six hours of flight, the pilot reported being 10 km from the airport on final approach from the west. The instructor directing flights informed that a student pilot flying a Puchatek glider was conducting a first solo flight on a right-hand circuit. As the Jantar 2B entered the airport overhead, the Puchatek was on final approach for runway 27.
At an altitude of 350–400 m above the square, the Jantar 2B performed a circle and began building a landing circuit. On the downwind leg, the pilot deployed and locked the landing gear and reported this by radio. The flight instructor assigned landing order number one. Because the Puchatek was stopped on the runway for subsequent flights, the Jantar pilot executed a fourth turn closer to the concrete runway to maintain safe separation.
After rolling out on final approach, the pilot radioed that the sun was low on the horizon, limiting forward visibility; he could only observe the space at an angle of 35–40° relative to the flight axis. During the flare, the instructor told the pilot to move closer to the square. As the pilot began a slight deviation of about 10°, the main wheel of the glider struck a vertical sign indicating the stop position before entering the main runway. Subsequently, the nose of the glider hit the apron, and the glider came to a stop after approximately 20 m of roll on the edge of the taxiway.
The glider was seriously damaged. The pilot was taken to a hospital with leg injuries, which included two fractures in the right leg and severe sprains to both ankles. The stop sign was destroyed.
Cause
The pilot of the Jantar 2B adopted excessive separation relative to the Puchatek glider (landing outside the designated grass runway), resulting in the glider colliding with a vertical obstacle in the form of a sign indicating the stop position before entering the main runway, which was placed on the emergency landing strip.
Contributing Circumstances
- Landing into the sun, which was low on the horizon, limiting forward visibility, especially with a shallow approach angle.
- Placement of a vertical information sign on the strip designated for emergency landings.
- The pilot lacked knowledge of obstacles in the airport operational area; the only copy of the Airport Operating Manual was available at the EPML tower.
Aftermath
On 10 August 2016, a meeting of the Mielec Airport Safety Board was held, where corrective actions were defined and responsible persons were appointed. All pilots of the Mielec Aeroclub were briefed on the placement of vertical signs and airport lighting elements. No safety recommendations were issued by the investigation board.