What happened
On May 8, 2019, a private glider flight departed from Zamość Aerodrome (EPZA) for a cross-country mission. The flight, conducted in an SZD-36A Cobra-15 with registration SP-2965, initially proceeded well, with the pilot utilizing thermal lift to reach a turning point near Biała Podlaska. As the flight progressed, the pilot transitioned to using cloudless thermals due to shifting cloud patterns.
During the return leg, approximately 25 kilometers from the aerodrome, the pilot reported having a GPS-indicated altitude reserve of 113 meters. However, as the glider approached the airfield, it encountered areas of sinking air. Realizing that the increased rate of descent would prevent the aircraft from reaching the active runway, the pilot decided not to deploy the landing gear and instead planned an off-field landing on an unpaved area of the airfield's northern section. During this final approach, the left wing of the glider struck a tree, causing the aircraft to rotate 180 degrees before crashing into an embankment near a railway ditch. The impact caused significant damage to the airframe, specifically the fuselage behind the cockpit.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation confirmed that the pilot was fully licensed, medically fit, and not under the influence of alcohol. The SP-2965 was found to be airworthy and properly documented. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process and the meteorological conditions encountered during the approach. It was noted that the pilot had limited experience with the SZD-36A Cobra-15, having completed only two previous flights in this specific model.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a pilot error involving the failure to decide on an immediate off-field landing when the approach became unfeasible.
- The pilot's limited experience with the specific aircraft type contributed to the outcome.
- The encounter with sinking air (downdrafts) and a head-on/side wind component during the approach to the aerodrome created the critical situation.
- The structural failure of the fuselage behind the cockpit during the impact served to absorb energy, which prevented the pilot from sustaining injuries.