Description of the Event
On 21 May 2021, at approximately 12:10 local time, a glider SZD-51-1 Junior, registration SP-3307, was conducting a training flight at Rudniki airfield (EPRU). The glider was being launched by winch from runway DS 3. During the takeoff roll, about two seconds after the start, the right wing dropped and contacted the grass. The glider began to turn right, then suddenly pitched up, rolled to the right, inverted, and struck the ground in a flat attitude. The towrope released upon impact. Witnesses notified emergency services and approached the glider to assist the pilot. The pilot was conscious and responsive. Rescue personnel arrived, and with coordination with the emergency dispatch center, the pilot was left in the cockpit until paramedics arrived. She was extracted, placed on a stretcher, and transported to a hospital where she was hospitalized for six days.
Analysis
The winch launches were performed from a grassy runway on the south side of the airfield. Due to recent heavy rainfall, the grass had grown significantly. At the launch point, the grass height was approximately 50 cm. Starting a glider from a runway with tall grass carries a risk of the wing snagging the grass. The tall grass wraps around the leading edge of the wing, causing strong deceleration, which can lead to a ground loop. In such situations, if directional control is lost beyond 15–20 degrees, the pilot should immediately release the towline. In this accident, the right wing contacted the tall grass, causing the glider to yaw right. The pilot likely pulled the control stick back in an attempt to lift off, causing the trim lever to unlock and move to the aft position. After becoming airborne, the glider rotated left side to the launch direction, continued to be pulled by the towrope, rolled onto its back, and struck the ground. The nose impact destroyed the forward fuselage and released the towrope. The glider then slid approximately 10 meters with a slight left turn before stopping.
Findings
The investigation established the following: 1. The pilot held a valid glider pilot license (SPL) issued on 21 April 2021, with a total glider flight time of 51 hours 26 minutes. 2. The glider was insured and had the required technical and operational documentation. 3. At the time of launch, wind was light from the south (left side). 4. No glider square or start markers were deployed. 5. The launch was performed from runway DS 3 covered with tall grass (approximately 50 cm). 6. The glider's right wing contacted the grass during the takeoff roll. 7. After lifting off, the glider turned left side to the launch direction, then continued to be pulled by the towrope, rolled onto its back, and struck the ground. 8. The impact destroyed the forward fuselage and released the towrope. 9. The pilot was conscious and responsive after the accident. 10. The pilot remained in the cockpit until ambulance arrival. 11. The pilot sustained serious injuries.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was the failure to release the towline during the winch launch.