What happened
On May 29, 2018, during the 27th Ostrow Glide Gliding Competition, a pilot was participating in the fourth event, a cross-country task. Due to a loss of thermal conditions, the pilot was forced to perform an off-field landing in the vicinity of Nowa Wie ś Książęca-Parcele.
The pilot selected a field for landing and executed a landing with a wind component. During the approach, the pilot realized that the assessment of the distance to nearby buildings and obstacles was incorrect, creating a risk of collision. Although the pilot applied full brakes upon touchdown, the glider's right wing made contact with the ground. To avoid hitting obstacles, the pilot performed a circling maneuver, which resulted in a 180-degree rotation of the LS-1F glider. The impact caused damage to the right wing.
The investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Aeroklub Ostrowski. The inquiry focused on the pilot's decision-making regarding the landing site and the execution of the landing maneuver under deteriorating atmospheric conditions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the improper selection of the landing field.
- The pilot performed a landing with a wind component, which contributed to the difficulty in maintaining the intended flight path and distance from obstacles.