History of the Flight
On 11 May 2023, a pilot planned a recreational cross-country flight in a SZD-48-3 Jantar Std. 3 glider (registration SP-3263) operated by Aeroklub Białostocki. The planned route was 117 km long with two turning points. The glider was towed from the Białystok/Krywlany airfield (EPBK) at 11:17 local time and released at approximately 550 m AGL to the northeast of the airfield. After release, the pilot gained altitude by circling in thermals, which were drifting over the city of Białystok due to wind.
At 11:46, from an altitude of about 1850 m, the pilot departed for the first turning point near the town of Narew, reaching it at 12:43 at approximately 1740 m. The second turning point near Knyszyn, located 28 km northwest of EPBK, was reached at 13:40. Shortly after, the pilot began the return leg to EPBK. While over Białystok, about 3 km from the airport, the pilot realized that the low altitude would not allow crossing the city or retreating to suitable terrain for an off-field landing. The pilot decided to land on a parking lot at the railway station.
During approach, the glider's wing struck a lightning rod mast attached to a fuel storage tank. The glider rotated in the air and fell from approximately a dozen meters, colliding with the tank wall and a tree before impacting the ground.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The glider was a PDPS "PZL-Bielsko" SZD-48-3 "Jantar Std. 3" with registration SP-3263. The pilot was a glider pilot flying for recreational purposes. The pilot sustained serious injuries but was able to exit the cockpit unaided. The glider was seriously damaged. Additional damage included the fuel tank's lightning rod and the tree.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions at the time of the accident were CAVOK with clear thermals. The report notes that thermal lift deteriorated significantly during the return leg, leading to a loss of altitude.
Probable Cause
The investigation identified the cause of the accident as: a) a significant deterioration of flight conditions (loss of thermal lift) during the return leg, resulting in a substantial loss of altitude; and b) the pilot's incorrect assessment of the distance to the airport and the ability to continue the flight, as well as an attempt to reach the airport that rendered a safe landing impossible. Contributing factors were the lack of use of aerodynamic performance data (polar curve) of the glider and the decision to land on the parking lot.