Incident Overview
On 5 July 2020, at approximately 15:18 local time, an incident occurred at Krosno airport (EPKR) involving two gliders: a PZL KR 03 Puchatek (designated Puchatek 1) and an SZD 50 Puchacz (referred to as Puchacz). The incident was classified as an "incident" with no injuries or damage to the aircraft. The operator was Aeroklub Podkarpacki, and the flights were training glider operations conducted under VMC conditions with VFR rules. Weather had no influence on the event.
Sequence of Events
At the time, the airport was conducting glider training flights, aircraft flights, and parachute jumps. Two Puchatek gliders (Puchatek 1 and Puchatek 2) were positioned on runway 29R for takeoff: Puchatek 1 on the southern edge and Puchatek 2 on the northern edge. Around 15:18, Puchatek 1 departed for a simulated emergency procedure flight, releasing at about 200 meters. The crew did not announce intentions by radio. While Puchatek 1 circled and lost altitude, it began a downwind landing. Simultaneously, Puchacz, returning from a thermal flight, appeared on final approach at very low altitude. About three seconds before touchdown, the Puchacz pilot radioed that it was on final. During a directional correction while still airborne, the glider's right wing contacted the ground. Shortly after, it landed and veered right, stopping on the northern edge of the runway. Before Puchacz completed its rollout, Puchatek 1 rolled down the runway in the opposite direction at high speed, landing downwind. It stopped at the end of the runway, narrowly passing a third glider (Puchatek 3) positioned for takeoff on the southern side. Approximately 30 seconds later, a student-pilot in a Pirat glider, returning from a thermal flight, announced final and flew at low altitude near the removed Puchatek 1.
Aircraft and Personnel
The Puchatek 1 was piloted by a 54-year-old glider instructor with a SPL license, limited aerobatics rating, and FI rating. He held valid medical certificates class 2 and LAPL. Total glider flight time was 303 hours 42 minutes, including 56 hours 1 minute as instructor. The Puchacz was flown by a 58-year-old instructor with SPL, FI rating, and valid medical certificates class 2 and LAPL with VNL restriction. Total glider flight time was 992 hours, including 446 hours as instructor. Both aircraft were gliders; no registration marks were applicable. No persons were injured, and neither glider sustained damage.
Safety Observations
The investigation noted several safety-related observations: The placement of the glider square on the southern side of runway 29R, with Puchatek 2 positioned at the threshold on the northern side, could obstruct approach paths. The positioning of tow cables and vehicles near the glider square, including a car that restricted visibility, was highlighted. The launch of Puchatek 1 occurred dangerously close to the runway markings and the glider square, with the tow cable laid near the "T" sign. The launch point was near the runway edge, leaving a narrow neutral strip. The starting trailer on the launch point limited the flight director's view. The report suggested alternative layouts to improve safety, but no specific causes were identified as the investigation focused on prevention rather than fault.