What happened
On March 7, 2025, at approximately 15:00 LMT, a motor glider, an Apollo C15DD/Delta Jet 2, registration SP-MTOO, was conducting local flights near the Wyszonowice landing field. The pilot, who held a PHGL1 rating and approximately 800 hours of motor glider experience, had completed the initial takeoff and reached an altitude of approximately 30 to 40 meters AGL.
While executing a left turn on a 120-degree heading, the pilot positioned the aircraft with a tailwind on the northern side of the airfield. During this maneuver, the pilot reduced engine power. This reduction in thrust caused the aircraft to descend at a high vertical rate. Realizing the low altitude, the pilot applied maximum throttle in an attempt to transition to a climb; however, the aircraft's inertia was insufficient to avoid an obstacle. At an altitude of approximately 5 meters, the left wingtip struck tree branches near an old railway embankment. The impact caused the aircraft to lose directional control and enter an uncontrolled spin into dense bushes, at which point the engine stalled. No fire occurred, but the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established that the pilot sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital by Air Ambulance services. The investigation reviewed the flight sequence, the pilot's actions regarding power management, and the terrain obstacles in the vicinity of the airfield.