What happened
On July 8, 2023, at approximately 16:30 LMT, a student pilot was conducting a training flight from the Radawiec (EPLR) aerodrome. The aircraft, an SZD-51-1 Junior with registration SP-3506, climbed to an altitude of 1,100 meters, initially flying toward Nałęczów and then toward Bełczyce. During this period, the pilot encountered thermal lift ranging from 1 to 3 m/s.
While returning toward the airfield on an easterly heading, the glider entered an area of descending air, with sink rates reaching 3 to 4 m/s. Unable to locate new thermal lift to maintain altitude, the pilot opted to perform a landing in an unprepared field. After assessing the terrain, the pilot chose a field planted with barley approximately 85 cm in height. During the landing flare, the right wing of the glider caught on the tall crop. This caused the aircraft to enter a right-hand spin, eventually striking the ground with the left wingtip before coming to a halt. The incident occurred in Podole, approximately 7.5 km southwest of Radawiec. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained serious damage.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the forced landing and the impact of the terrain on the aircraft's stability during touchdown. The investigation reviewed the pilot's flight experience, noting that at the time of the incident, the student had logged 63 hours and 45 minutes of flight time, and this was only their third landing in unprepared terrain.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the landing of the glider in a field with high crops.
- The contact between the wing and the tall barley caused the aircraft to catch the wing and enter a spin.
Safety action
- The incident was discussed during a pre-flight briefing the following day.
- Due to the presence of high crops in the area, the Aeroclub Director issued a prohibition on glider flights until July 25, 2023.