What happened
On August 5, 2017, at approximately 12:37 PM, a training flight was underway at Mielec Airport (EPML) in Poland. The aircraft, an SZD-22 Mucha Standard with registration SP-2245, was performing a winch launch from a grass runway.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot requested additional power from the winch operator. Although the operator increased the throttle, the glider began to deviate significantly to the left immediately after liftoff. At an altitude of approximately 50 meters, the pilot released the winch cable. To maintain airspeed, the pilot pushed the control stick forward; however, the aircraft was already deviating from the intended flight path.
In an attempt to return to the runway heading, the pilot initiated a right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall and subsequently entered a spin, impacting the ground. The accident resulted in one fatality (the pilot) and caused the total destruction of the glider.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft's technical documentation, the pilot's training records, and meteorological data from the day of the accident. The investigation reviewed surveillance footage from the airfield, which captured the sequence of the launch and the subsequent stall.
Investigators analyzed the pilot's experience, noting that while the pilot held a valid license, this was only his second flight in the SZD-22 Mucha Standard. The investigation also scrutinized the wind conditions, noting that the airfield's meteorological station recorded a variable wind, which at the time of the accident was a tailwind-crosswind component from 307 degrees. The investigation also looked into the roles of the winch operator and the flight instructor present at the launch square.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the stall of the glider during a turn performed at a low altitude following the release of the winch cable.
- The aircraft was operating in a tailwind-crosswind condition, which contributed to the deviation from the intended flight path.
- The pilot's limited experience with this specific aircraft type was a contributing factor, as he had only one prior flight in the SZD-22 Mucha Standard.
- High ambient temperatures (27°C) resulted in lower air density, which increased the stall speed and reduced the effective power of the winch engine.
- The pilot's climb angle was too steep for the prevailing atmospheric conditions, and the winch power setting (3/4 power) was insufficient to maintain adequate airspeed during the deviation.
- The flight instructor, who was present at the launch square, did not issue the radio commands for the launch, a task that should ideally be handled by the instructor to better monitor traffic and weather.