Event Summary
On 29 April 2024, a pilot planned a checkout flight under instructor supervision on a SZD-42-2 Jantar 2B glider at Płock airport. After a normal first flight, the glider took off for a second circuit. After releasing at approximately 400 m, the pilot flew a traffic pattern. On the downwind leg, he reported lowering and locking the landing gear. During the landing approach, the glider fell short of the runway, struck a tree, and became suspended.
Pilot Information
The pilot obtained his third-class glider pilot license in 1980. Total glider flight time was 313 hours 53 minutes, including 264 hours 45 minutes as pilot-in-command. Annual flight hours from 2020 to 2024 were low: 10h58m (2020), 10h38m (2021), 5h38m (2022), 9h43m (2023), and 30 minutes (2024). He had flown types such as SZD-9 Bocian, SZD-30 Pirat, SZD-50 Puchacz, PZL KR-3 Puchatek, and SZD-51 Junior. He had not flown high-performance gliders requiring greater piloting skills.
Weather
The pilot reported a cloudless sky with a light headwind along the runway axis. During the aerotow and after release, he noted strong turbulence and thermals with updrafts of +3 to +4 m/s. During the landing approach, the glider entered a region of descending air. Weather influenced the event.
Approach and Impact
After the fourth turn, the glider was at about 130 m. The pilot radioed "final for landing." He set flaps to +2, opened airbrakes halfway, and stabilized speed at approximately 110 km/h. According to the Flight Manual, approach speed without water ballast is 90-100 km/h with flaps +1 or +2; with water ballast, 100-110 km/h. In practice, pilots land without water ballast with flaps at 0. At flaps +2 without water ballast, aileron response is delayed. The pilot assessed the glide path as correct. When he looked at the gear lever to check its position, the glider entered descending air of about 5 m/s. He closed airbrakes and maintained 90-100 km/h. During a descending air region, the pilot should have increased speed. At flaps +2, higher speed increases sink rate due to drag. The approach path (runway 12 direction) required flying over allotments and a road with streetlights. The glider, at low altitude and low speed over the allotments, contacted a tree with its right wing just before the road. It then rotated approximately 180° to the right and hung on the tree.
Findings
- The pilot held valid documents for the flight.
- Annual flight hours over the previous four years were low.
- Weather influenced the event.
- The approach was flown with flaps at +2.
- During approach, the glider entered descending air.
- The pilot did not increase speed while in the descending air.
- The glider struck a tree with its right wing at low altitude and low speed.
- After impact, the glider rotated about 180° and hung on the tree.
- The pilot was not injured.
Safety Recommendations
None issued.