What happened
On June 1, 2025, a 17-year-old pilot with 74 total flight hours arrived at the Gotartowice airfield (EPRG) to perform a local thermal soaring flight. While weather conditions were initially suitable, approaching cirrus clouds indicated an incoming warm front, and cumulus thermals were present near the airfield. Following a pre-flight briefing, the pilot launched via aero-tow at 13:56 local time, releasing the PW-5 “Smyk”, registration SP-3950, at approximately 1,000 m AGL on the northern side of the airfield.
The pilot climbed to the cloud base at 1,350 m and proceeded toward the town of Żory, where lifting conditions were found to be weak. Continuing southeast toward Suszec, the pilot encountered no further lift. Deciding not to return to the airfield, the pilot turned north toward the fields near Królówka. As thermals continued to dissipate, the pilot was forced to select a field for an emergency landing. The approach was conducted from a left-hand turn over a forest, approaching from the south in calm conditions. The landing site consisted of a field with dense grain approximately 80 cm high. During the touchdown, the right wing of the glider caught the crop, causing the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled right-hand spin before coming to a stop. The pilot exited the cockpit uninjured, though the aircraft sustained structural damage to the right wing.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the flight sequence, including footage from a cockpit-mounted camera, and reviewed the pilot's decision-making process regarding flight path and landing site selection.
Findings
- The pilot drifted away from the airfield in a direction with the wind, moving outside the designated arrival cone.
- The pilot lacked sufficient experience in selecting suitable terrain for emergency landings in unprepared areas.