What happened
On April 2, 2017, during a pre-flight inspection at the Rudniki aerodrome, a flight instructor operating an SZD-50-3 Puchacz (registration SP-3288) for Aeroklub Częstochowski noticed abnormal behavior in the secondary cockpit controls. The instructor observed excessive play in the control stick and heard a clicking sound when moving the stick. Upon further inspection, which included removing the seat pan, a deformation of the control column component was discovered.
Following the discovery, the glider was transported to a maintenance facility (WIRKK Serwis Szybowców Jerzy Biskup) for a detailed technical examination. The inspection revealed that the upper tube of the control column had been twisted and deformed, and a bushing at the welded connection where the rear control stick is mounted had been torn out. Additionally, a localized crack was identified on the welded connection between the bushing and the lower control column tube.
The investigation
Technical examinations were conducted by the maintenance facility and later reviewed on May 25, 2017, in the presence of representatives from the manufacturer (SZD Allstar PZL Glider), the maintenance provider, and the PKBWL. The investigation focused on determining the origin of the structural failure and whether the issue posed a systemic risk to the fleet.
Findings
- The investigation established that the damage was caused by the application of significant force to the control stick while it was positioned in a