Introduction
On April 30, 2018, at approximately 11:01 local time, a glider operated by Aeroklub Bieszczadzki departed from the airfield in Żernica Wyżna, Poland, for a flight with an instructor pilot and a passenger. The aircraft was a SZD 9bis Bocian 1E, registered as SP-2589.
Flight Sequence
The glider was winch-launched and released at an altitude of about 350 meters. After release, the instructor pilot performed several basic aerobatic maneuvers and then transitioned to a low-altitude pass. During a turn at low altitude, the glider encountered rotor (air turbulence), which caused a loss of airspeed. In the final phase of the turn, the left wing struck a tree, causing the glider to yaw through the wing and enter a vertical descent. The glider subsequently collided with the ground in a vertical attitude.
Injuries and Damage
The passenger sustained serious injuries, while the pilot received minor injuries. The glider was destroyed in the accident.
Meteorological Conditions
Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident, with daylight illumination.
Actions Taken
The investigating commission recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority suspend the pilot's glider and airplane licenses pending post-accident medical evaluations.