What happened
On July 26, 2020, at approximately 18:08 local time, a training flight was underway at the Świeﺒodzice-Ciernie (EPWC) airfield. The flight involved a student pilot operating a KR-03A Puchatek glider, registration SP-3497, performing a solo circuit following a winch launch as part of a basic glider training program.
The instructor supervising the operations noted that the takeoff, climb, rope release, and the completion of the initial turns were performed correctly. However, after completing the fourth turn, the glider commenced its landing approach. At an altitude of approximately three meters, the pilot increased the aircraft's pitch. Consequently, the glider touched down on its front skid at an angle of roughly 12-15 degrees, omitting the necessary flare phase. Following this initial impact, the rear skid struck the runway, and the aircraft came to a stop after a short rollout.
The student pilot sustained no injuries and was able to exit the cockpit independently. The impact caused significant damage to the glider.
The investigation
The investigation reviewed the final report submitted by the aircraft operator. The inquiry focused on the flight sequence, the pilot's maneuvers during the final approach, and the aircraft's technical state at the time of the landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the event was a pilot technique error, specifically the failure to execute the flare phase during the landing.
- The low level of experience of the student pilot, who was performing only his fifth solo flight, served as a contributing factor to the occurrence.