Accident Summary
On 26 July 2020, a SZD-51-1 "Junior" glider (registration SP-3413) was involved in an accident during its first solo flight at the EPLS aerodrome. The student pilot, flying a single-seat glider for the first time, failed to maintain control during the takeoff run behind a tow plane. On the supervising instructor's command, the student released the tow line. Due to excess speed and improper handling, the glider climbed a few meters above the ground. The student then applied the airbrakes too aggressively and failed to maintain an appropriate glide angle, causing the glider to strike the ground. The aircraft sustained serious damage, but the student pilot was not injured.
Probable Cause
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation determined that the accident was caused by student-pilot errors in piloting technique during takeoff.
Contributing Factors
The commission identified several factors that contributed to the occurrence of the accident: stress experienced by the student due to the transition to a single-seat glider; lack of feel for the controls of the single-seat glider; and a different canopy projection in the SZD-51-1 "Junior" compared to the two-seat gliders on which the student had previously trained, particularly the SZD-9 bis "Bocian 1E".
Operator Actions
In response, the glider operator conducted a briefing for tow pilots and glider pilots. The briefing covered differences in takeoff techniques between selected two-seat and single-seat training gliders, as well as emergency procedures that may arise during towed takeoffs. No safety recommendations were issued by the commission.