What happened
On May 1, 2018, at 11:47, an SZD-9 Bis Bocian 1E glider departed from the Weremień aerodrome for its third flight of the day, utilizing a winch launch. After releasing from the winch, the pilot attempted to locate thermal activity. Following several minutes of flight, the pilot initiated a landing approach on runway 23 via a gliding pattern.
During the approach, the glider entered an area of intense turbulence located on the lee side of a hill and forest situated south of the aerodrome. At 11:52, the glider touched down with a high vertical velocity. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control during the landing roll, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway toward a field road running alongside the landing strip. The incident resulted in damage to the main landing gear and the front skid. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established that the pilot held valid licenses for the flight and the SZD-9 Bis Bocian 1E was technically airworthy with all required documentation in order. The investigation reviewed the meteorological conditions, noting that the GAMET forecast for the day had predicted wind gusts of up to 45 knots (approximately 83.3 km/h).
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's decision to fly in difficult atmospheric conditions, stemming from an incorrect assessment of the weather.
- The pilot operated under pressure to complete the flight, as the aircraft was scheduled to transit from Weremień to the Żernica Wyżna aerodrome to conduct passenger flights.
- The presence of significant turbulence on the lee side of local terrain contributed to the high vertical impact speed and subsequent loss of directional control.