What happened
On May 12, 2020, a pilot was conducting a thermal flight in an SZD-48-3 Jantar Standard 3, registration SP-3743, departing from the Bełchatów-Kołduny airfield. The flight commenced at 10:36 LMT. During the return to the airfield at approximately 16:42, the pilot initiated the landing sequence. While the approach and landing were initially executed correctly, the glider failed to decelerate sufficiently before reaching the end of the runway. Consequently, the aircraft struck a glider trailer positioned at the runway terminus, resulting in minor damage to the leading edge of the right wing.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's landing calculations and the mechanical deployment of the aircraft's aerodynamic brakes. The commission examined the sequence of the approach and the physical constraints affecting the pilot's control of the aircraft during the final stages of flight.