Accident Overview
On 3 July 2018, at approximately 12:11 local time, a SZD-9 bis Bocian 1E glider, registration SP-2810, operated by Aeroklub Słupski, crashed near Łupiny, Poland. The glider was destroyed. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries after being transported to hospital, while the instructor was seriously injured.
Flight History
On the day of the accident, a group of five student pilots began basic glider training for the SPL license. Flights started at 7:04 local time, using a winch launch on runway heading 284°. By 12:09, 30 flights had been completed without incident. The instructor had been performing instructional duties continuously for over five hours without a break. At 12:11, the glider launched for its 31st flight, with the student pilot performing his 9th flight of the day. The task was straight flight and turns.
After a normal circuit, the glider turned onto final approach. In the vicinity of the fourth turn, the glider performed several circles. It then flew at low speed on a heading of approximately 240°, deviating about 40° left of the landing course. Subsequently, the glider entered a spin and collided with the ground 850 meters from the runway threshold and 280 meters south of the runway centerline.
Injuries and Damage
The student pilot (male, 16 years old) died after being taken to hospital. The instructor (male, 70 years old) was seriously injured. The glider was completely destroyed: the cockpit was crushed up to the wing line, and the fuselage was broken just behind the wings. Impact occurred in a young forest, causing minor damage to trees and shrubs.
Probable Cause
The Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) determined that the probable cause of the accident was loss of control of the glider due to a temporary indisposition of the instructor. Contributing circumstances included chronic health issues of the instructor, his advanced age, and fatigue from long flight duty without rest.
No safety recommendations were issued.