Incident Details
On 22 July 2020, a SZD-51-1 Junior glider (registration SP-3460) was on a 500 km conditional cross-country flight departing from EPOM airfield. In the final segment of the route, after a loss of thermal conditions, the pilot was forced to conduct an off-field landing. The landing was performed into the wind on a previously selected field. During the landing roll, the glider's left wing struck a concrete pillar, causing the glider to rotate 180 degrees and execute an unintended ground loop. The glider sustained serious damage, while the pilot did not suffer any injuries.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was determined to be: incorrectly planning the touchdown and landing roll during the off-field landing.
Contributing Factors
The investigation identified several factors that contributed to the occurrence:
- Difficult-to-see obstacles on the ground in the form of concrete pillars at the boundary of the selected landing area.
- Pilot fatigue and reduced perception after a prolonged flight lasting over nine hours.
- Landing into the sun.
Preventive Actions
The operator conducted a discussion of the incident with glider pilots, focusing on off-field landing procedures. No safety recommendations were issued by the commission.