What happened
On August 18, 2016, a training flight was underway at the Radawiec (EPLR) airfield. A student pilot was performing their fifth solo flight of the day in an SZD-9 Bis Boclar 1E glider, registration SP-3103, operated by Aeroklub Lubelski. The student had successfully completed four previous solo flights earlier that day.
During this fifth flight, the student pilot failed to properly plan the aerodrome traffic pattern. As the aircraft transitioned onto the final approach after the fourth turn, it was at an insufficient altitude. Despite the low altitude, the student released the air brakes. An instructor monitoring the flight via radio instructed the student to close the brakes, but the student's response was slightly delayed.
As the glider passed over trees located on the approach to runway 21, the left wing struck a protruding branch. While the impact caused the glider to tilt slightly to the left, it did not result in a loss of airspeed or a change in flight direction. The aircraft landed safely, coming to a stop just past the threshold of runway 21.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of the student's flight maneuvers and the communication between the student and the supervising instructor. The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path during the final approach and the timing of the instructor's radio commands relative to the student's actions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the improper planning of the aerodrome traffic pattern by the student pilot.
- A contributing factor was the delayed reaction of the supervising instructor to the student's error.
- The impact with the tree branch caused damage to the leading edge of the rear section of the left wing.