What happened
On October 10, 2021, at Kruszyna airport (EPWK), a student pilot attempted a winch launch in an SZD-30 glider, registration SP-2709. This was the student's second attempt with this specific aircraft type that day, following an earlier unsuccessful launch where the tow line had released prematurely.
As the glider transitioned from the takeoff roll into a climb, the winch tension began to decrease. The reduction in pull prevented the glider from maintaining the necessary airspeed for the climb. The student pilot failed to react appropriately to the dropping airspeed and did not follow radio instructions from the flight controller to maintain speed or release the cable. This led to a loss of lateral stability and a dynamic roll into a left-wing stall/spin. The glider struck the ground 11 seconds after the takeoff roll began, with the cockpit and right wing impacting the earth. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the winch operations, the student's flight experience, and the aircraft's technical status. The investigation established that the glider was airworthy and within its weight limits. Investigators analyzed the winch performance, noting that while the operator denied any malfunction, the reduction in winch tension was a critical factor. The investigation also looked into the instructor's oversight, noting that while the student had performed a successful two-seat flight earlier that day, they lacked experience in solo winch launches specifically in the SZD-30 model.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the student pilot's failure to react correctly to the decreasing airspeed during the initial climb phase.
- The pilot failed to implement effective recovery techniques to counteract the developing stall/spin.
- The winch provided insufficient or decreasing tension during the transition to a climb.
- Contributing factors included the student's lack of experience with winch launches in the SZD-30 type, having previously only practiced in the SZD-50-3.
- A lack of direct instructor supervision during these first solo launches on this aircraft type was noted.
- Environmental factors, such as a lack of cloud cover to help judge the climb angle and high cockpit sides limiting visibility, also contributed to the difficulty of the maneuver.