Summary
On 8 June 2019, at approximately 17:11 local time, a glider of type SZD 48-1 Jantar Standard 2, registration SP-3258, collided with a road sign during an off-field landing on a cultivated field in Wola Batorska, near Niepołomice, małopolskie province. The pilot, a 35-year-old male holding a valid glider pilot license, was not injured. The glider, owned and operated by Aeroklub Krakowski, was substantially damaged.
Narrative
The pilot departed from Pobiednik Wielki airfield (EPKP) at 11:27 local time using a winch launch for a cross-country gliding flight planned to Kielce-Masłów airfield (EPKA). After reaching the turning point, he initiated a return flight. While at approximately 800 meters AGL, he began his approach to Pobiednik Wielki. According to the pilot, due to a loss of thermal lift, he decided to land in an unprepared field at about 500 meters AGL. He initially selected a meadow in a bend of the Vistula River but changed his mind, concerned about vehicle access for recovery. At around 250 meters AGL, he continued searching for a suitable field with low vegetation and into the wind. He chose a field near Wola Batorska, but after closer observation noticed road signs at its edge. The pilot misjudged the distance between the signs and the field length. On final approach at approximately 120 meters AGL, he realized the field was too short and required touchdown at the very beginning. While crossing a road in front of the field, the glider struck a road sign. The impact caused the glider to rotate left, touchdown with a sideslip, and after a 210-degree rotation, it came to a stop. The pilot, wearing his seatbelt, exited the glider unaided. Emergency services arrived but found no injuries.
Damage
The glider sustained serious damage: the forward canopy was destroyed, the instrument panel was broken, the left aileron was torn off, and the left wing was damaged.
Probable Cause
The accident investigation determined two causes: 1) Failure to decide to land in unprepared terrain at an appropriate altitude over suitable ground; 2) Random selection of a landing field from too low an altitude.