What happened
On July 11, 2026, a Grob G109 motor glider with registration SP-0093 was conducting training flights at the grass airfield of EPBY (Bydgoszcz). The aircraft was being used for student pilot training to obtain TMG privileges. During the landing phase, the student pilot executed the flare maneuver too late. This resulted in a hard initial touchdown, causing the motor glider to bounce off the ground. The instructor's reaction to the abnormal configuration and the subsequent bounce was delayed, preventing a smooth recovery. The impact caused permanent deformation of the landing gear leg, struck the ground with the rotating propeller, and cracked the underside of the fuselage. No injuries were sustained by the crew.
The investigation
The Polish State Commission for Aviation Accident Investigation (PKBWL) reviewed the findings from the investigating entity and deemed them sufficient to close the case under Article 138 of the Aviation Law. The analysis focused on the sequence of events during the landing, specifically the timing of the flare and the instructor's intervention.
Findings
The primary cause was identified as a technical error by the student pilot in the landing phase, specifically a late flare that led to a hard touchdown and a bounce. A contributing factor was the delayed or absent reaction from the instructor to the incorrect aircraft configuration prior to touchdown and during the bounce.
Safety action
The training organization recommended that the instructor conduct methodological flights with another instructor to improve their ability to recognize and correct student errors during landing. The incident was also discussed with the student pilot involved. No formal safety recommendations were issued by the Commission.