What happened
On the evening of August 7, 2022, a Pipistrel powered hang glider was conducting a flight with a passenger near Marianowo, Poland. The flight originated from a meadow near the pilot's residence. During the flight, the aircraft entered a right-hand turn that transitioned into a steep bank and a slip. The aircraft struck the ground in an agricultural field at a high velocity, estimated to be above 100 km/h. The impact was severe, causing the aircraft to disintegrate; the right wingtip made initial contact with the ground, leading to a roll of the entire structure. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft, the site of the impact, and witness testimonies. The investigation established that the engine was operational until the moment of impact. The aircraft was a Slovenian-made Pipistrel model, approximately 20 years old, featuring a two-person tandem configuration. The investigation noted that the aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or radio communications, though such equipment was not required by regulations. Meteorological analysis confirmed that the weather was within Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with good visibility and no significant weather phenomena that could have contributed to the accident.
Findings
- The pilot held valid qualifications for powered hang gliding.
- The pilot was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The aircraft's structural damage, including a broken wing spar and a twisted mast, was entirely due to the forces of the ground impact.
- The probable cause of the accident was the execution of a turn with an increasing bank angle and a simultaneous slip at an altitude that did not allow for a safe recovery to level flight.