What happened
On October 1, 2019, an LS-1 glider, registration SP-3826, was performing wave-soaring flight maneuvers within the approach cone of the Górna Szkoła Szybowcowa AP “Żar” (EPZR) airfield. At approximately 16:30 LMT, while flying near the Kiczera mountain peak, the aircraft encountered intense downdrafts.
As the aircraft lost altitude, the pilot determined that the remaining height was insufficient to return to the EPZR airfield. Consequently, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing in an unprepared field located in the vicinity of Rocyny. Upon touchdown, the glider's landing gear struck an earth embankment approximately 0.2 to 0.3 meters high. The impact caused the cockpit canopy to detach and led to the left wing making contact with the ground. The aircraft subsequently entered a ground loop, during which the tail section was broken.
The pilot sustained no injuries and was able to exit the cockpit unaided before notifying flight operations of the incident.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the flight sequence and the environmental conditions present during the occurrence. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process regarding altitude management and the selection of the landing site, as well as the atmospheric conditions involving rotor activity and downdrafts in the area.