What happened
On July 3, 2018, an SZD-9 bis Bocian 1E glider, registration SP-2810, was conducting basic flight training at the Aeroklub Słupski training center in Łupiny. The flight was the 31st for the instructor and the 9th for the student pilot that day. After completing several successful circuits, the glider was on a straight-in approach for landing. During the fourth circuit, the aircraft began to deviate significantly from the landing course. The glider subsequently entered a right-hand spin and struck the ground at a steep angle, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries and passed away in the hospital, while the instructor suffered serious injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the flight history, the technical condition of the SZD-9 bis Bocian 1E, and the health and fatigue levels of the crew. Investigators reviewed airport surveillance footage, which captured the aircraft's flight path and the moment the left wing lifted, indicating a lack of pilot response to a loss of airspeed. The investigation also reviewed the instructor's medical history and the workload of the flight day, noting that the instructor had performed 30 consecutive flights without significant breaks for rest or meals.