What happened
On May 17, 2020, at approximately 14:07 LMT, a SZD-41-1 Jantar Standard 2 glider, registration SP-3701, was being aero-towed by a SOCATA MS-893E Rallye near the Ostrów-Michałków airfield. During the climb, at an altitude of approximately 300 m AGL, the glider experienced a sudden upward pitch. The pilot of the glider attempted to adjust the flight path but found the aircraft rising so rapidly that they were pressed into the seat, making it impossible to reach the tow release handle immediately.
The tow aircraft was pulled nearly vertically toward the ground by the tension of the towline. The tow pilot managed to release the cable and stabilize the aircraft after losing approximately 150 m of altitude. Following the release, the glider entered an uncontrolled roll and subsequently entered a right-hand spin. Despite radio instructions from the flight leader to execute recovery maneuvers, the glider completed six spins before disappearing behind a treeline. The aircraft eventually crashed into a wooded area, resulting in the total destruction of the glider, though the pilot escaped with only minor bruising.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft's technical condition, the pilot's training, and the cockpit ergonomics. The investigation included a practical simulation using an identical glider to assess the pilot's ability to reach critical controls while restrained by safety belts. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's center of gravity (CG) and the impact of meteorological conditions, specifically turbulence and gusts present during the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control of the glider during the aero-tow, likely due to an unexpected strong gust.
- The pilot failed to recover the aircraft from the spin.
- The glider's center of gravity was positioned near the rear limit of the allowable range, which contributed to the aircraft's high maneuverability and susceptibility to the spin.
- Ergonomic limitations within the cockpit made it difficult for the pilot to reach the tow release handle and the trim adjustment knob while secured by safety belts.
- The pilot's attempt to reach the instrument panel while being pressed into the seat likely caused unintentional control inputs, such as pulling the control stick toward themselves, further destabilizing the flight path.