Incident Overview
On 13 May 2018 at 12:56 local time, a pilot flying a SZD-48-3 Jantar Standard 3 glider departed from the Aeroklub Elbląski airfield (EPEL) for a thermal flight. After a winch launch to an release altitude of approximately 350 meters, the pilot found no thermals and, at about 100 meters, entered the fourth turn for landing on runway 10.
Landing and Contact with High Grass
During the landing approach, the pilot performed flare and float before the runway threshold, to the right of the centerline. Upon touchdown approximately 30 meters from the runway, the right airbrake panel struck tall grass present in that area. The glider then yawed to the right, executing a ground loop, and came to a stop.
Pilot and Damage
The pilot, a 66-year-old male with a total flight time of 1,037 hours (211 hours 49 minutes on type), was not injured and exited the glider unassisted. The glider sustained damage to the right aileron tip over a length of about 0.30 meters.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The investigation determined the cause of the incident to be incorrect planning of the approach to landing. Contributing factors included landing outside the runway in high grass with the airbrakes extended.
Aftermath
No safety recommendations were issued. The operator discussed the incident with the pilot and relevant personnel, reminding them of proper traffic pattern procedures. The event was scheduled for review at a 2019 flight safety conference.