Incident Overview
On 31 July 2017, a mechanic at Warsaw Babice airport (EPBC) observed damages on an SZD 9-bis Bocian glider that were not previously recorded in the aircraft technical logbook. The glider was grounded, and the damages were documented in the logbook under entry number 53/2017/2781. The glider and its documentation were transferred to a certified organization for repair.
Damage Details
The damages included: a broken vertical reinforcement of the second rib of the right wing; a crack in the internal covering of the fuselage side; damage to the attachment of the left wing tip skid; damaged covering of the fuselage structure under the horizontal stabilizer; damage to the covering of the left wing tip; and a crack on the lower console of the rudder suspension.
Investigation
The initial notification did not provide sufficient information to determine the cause. The operator's investigation also failed to identify the cause. According to the operator's final report, the event occurred on the ground while the glider was being towed out of the hangar. Security camera footage covered only a small area in front of the aircraft hangar, not the glider hangar. Interviews with mechanics and the flight manager did not reveal witnesses. Analysis of the technical logbook showed no previous defect entries, indicating the glider was released as serviceable after its last flight. Due to lack of evidence, the cause could not be determined.
Preventive Actions
The operator informed pilots during standardization training and planned to install monitoring (including thermal cameras) in the glider hangar.
Safety Recommendations
The commission did not issue any safety recommendations.
Commission Comments
The commission noted that the operator's investigation omitted identification of the hazard from failing to report the incident at the time it occurred. The commission emphasized improving safety culture and implementing a voluntary reporting system as part of a just culture.