What happened
On October 25, 2021, a glider flight was being conducted at the Górna Szkoła Szybowcowa “Żar” aerodrome (EPZR) near Żywiec. The flight operations involved thermal and wave soaring, with takeoffs performed on heading 220° and landings on the opposite heading of 40°.
At 13:04, a pilot operating an SZD 51-1 “Junior” (registration SP-3arm) departed as the final aircraft in the sequence. The initial tow flight proceeded normally. After utilizing thermal and wave lift to reach an altitude of approximately 2,000 m AGL, the pilot decided to return to the aerodrome after more than two hours of flight. The landing maneuver began at an altitude of 400 m AGL.
During the descent, the pilot encountered significant turbulence. While performing a left-hand turn in the aerodrome pattern, the aircraft drifted significantly past the runway centerline, positioning itself on the leeward side of the runway. The final approach was conducted with a strong quartering crosswind from the right. During the final phase of the approach, the pilot maintained the aerodynamic brakes in the open position while flying at an insufficient airspeed. Despite a radio instruction from the flight controller to close the brakes and secure the airspeed, the pilot did not react. At an altitude of only a few meters, the glider entered a stall. The aircraft struck the aerodrome surface, bouncing twice. During the second bounce, the right wing caught the ground, causing the glider to rotate approximately 170° to the right. The pilot exited the cockpit unassisted but sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the flight sequence, the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, and the pilot's response to instructions from the flight controller. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held valid qualifications and medical certification, and that the aircraft was properly documented and insured.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a pilot error involving the maintenance of insufficient airspeed during the landing approach while operating in strong turbulence and a quartering crosswind.
- Contributing factors included wind gusts of approximately 10 m/s, which, due to the local terrain at Żar, created lee-side effects, areas of strong descending air, and turbulent wind shifts within the valley.
Safety action
- Prior to resuming solo flight, the pilot is required to undergo remedial training flights with a designated instructor, specifically focusing on landing techniques in conditions of increased or strong turbulence, with the number of flights determined by the instructor's assessment.