Accident Overview
On 8 August 2020, a training flight involving a SZD-9 Bocian glider, registration SP-2824, ended in an accident at Kruszyn airfield (EPWK). The glider, operated by a student pilot under the supervision of an instructor, had departed on a standard circuit training flight using a winch launch.
Sequence of Events
The flight took off at 19:41 local time on runway heading 80 degrees. During the approach to landing, approximately 50 meters from the airfield boundary, the glider was at an estimated height of 5 to 8 meters when it struck a clump of tall bushes. The impact caused the glider to ground loop and fall to the ground, resulting in significant structural damage. Both occupants were uninjured.
Cause and Preventive Actions
The investigation identified the cause as an excessively low approach, which led to the glider contacting the bushes. In response, the flying personnel of the local aeroclub discussed the incident and decided that landing markers for runway 08 would be placed further from the threshold to prevent similar occurrences in the future.