What happened
On May 7, 2023, a student pilot was conducting glider training flights at the Piła (EPPI) aerodrome. After being released from an aero-tow at an altitude of 320 meters, the pilot entered a right-hand traffic pattern for runway 03 in a PZL KR-3 Puchatek, registration SP-355 and 55.
While executing the third to fourth turn of the circuit, the pilot encountered an area of rising air. To compensate for this unexpected lift, the pilot had to deploy the aerodynamic brakes more significantly than had been necessary during previous flights that day. During the final approach, the pilot performed a high flare at an altitude of approximately 1 meter. Following the flare, the pilot abruptly pulled the control stick backward. This maneuver caused the tail skid to strike the ground, followed by a heavy impact on the main landing gear and the front skid. The aircraft then tilted onto its left wing, causing the wingtip to strike the ground. The pilot sustained no injuries, though the aircraft suffered damage to the front skid and the left wingtip.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the flight sequence and the pilot's control inputs during the landing phase. The investigation examined the impact of the atmospheric conditions encountered during the circuit and the subsequent pilot response during the flare and touchdown.