Summary
On 18 July 2019 at 17:01 local time, a SZD-48-3 Jantar Standard 3 glider, registration SP-3383, operated by a private user, was involved in an accident at Strzyżewice airfield near Leszno (EPLS). The glider was on a solo training flight under VFR in VMC conditions. Weather was not a factor.
Flight Details
The pilot, a 56-year-old male with a glider pilot license issued on 27 July 2017, had a total flight time of 172 hours and 48 minutes, with 50 hours on the Jantar Standard 3. He held a valid Class 2/LAPL medical certificate with VNL limitations. The flight was planned as a cross-country training route: Leszno – Karaszczyn – Krobia – Bojadła – Rawicz – Leszno. The glider was launched by aerotow at 11:29 from runway direction 240°. Thermal conditions were initially strong but weakened near Góra Śląska, prompting the pilot to shorten the route and return to Leszno.
Accident Sequence
During the return, the glider entered an area of strong sink, causing significant altitude loss in the final approach phase. The pilot reduced speed hoping to reach the airfield, but this resulted in further altitude loss. Unable to clear buildings on the approach path, the pilot decided to land in an off-field site. The nearest field was to the left of the approach course. During a 90-degree turn toward the field, the pilot did not maintain adequate speed for a safe turn and landing. Video evidence showed the airbrakes were partially extended. The glider stalled and entered a left spin at an altitude of about 60 meters and a speed of 62 km/h. During autorotation, the left wing struck a tree, causing the wing to break and the glider to rotate 180 degrees around the tree. The glider then impacted the ground with its right side. The right wing and tail section absorbed the impact. The glider sustained substantial damage. The pilot exited the cockpit unaided and immediately notified the head of training at Aeroklub Leszczyński and the police. Police checked the pilot's sobriety; no alcohol was detected. The pilot was taken to the hospital emergency department, examined, and discharged without injuries.
Cause
The accident was caused by an error in piloting technique: the pilot allowed the glider's speed to decrease excessively, leading to a stall and spin at low altitude.