What happened
On September 30, 2018, at approximately 18:30 LMT, a powered hang glider accident occurred on private property in Słupia Kapitulna. The aircraft was performing a recreational flight carrying two occupants, including a passenger. Following takeoff from an unregistered airfield located near a hangar, the aircraft performed several turns at an altitude of approximately 50 meters AGL. During a sharp right-hand turn from a westerly to an easterly heading, the aircraft encountered a rotor effect left by its previous flight path. This caused a sudden loss of altitude and forced the nose of the powered hang glider downward, resulting in a ground impact.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established that the takeoff occurred from a site not listed in the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC) registry of aerodromes. Witnesses at the scene, who were attending a social gathering, provided testimony regarding the flight sequence. The investigation also examined the medical and legal status of the pilot. Blood tests conducted at a hospital in Leszno revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.45 g/l in the pilot. Furthermore, records from the Civil Aviation Authority's Personnel Licensing Department confirmed that the pilot had not held valid flight qualifications since October 2009.
Findings
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without the required flight qualifications.
- The pilot was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
- The aircraft encountered a rotor during a maneuver, leading to the loss of altitude.
- The flight originated from an unauthorized/unregistered landing site.