What happened
On January 12, 2002, at approximately 16:20, a PZL Bielsko SZD-30 Pirat glider, registration EC-CNU, was being towed for takeoff from runway 17 at the Igualada Aerodrome in Barcelona. The takeoff was being performed by a Cessna L-1Y5 aircraft. While the aircraft and glider were airborne at an altitude of approximately 50 meters, the glider experienced an asymmetrical lift, causing one wing to rise before the other.
In an attempt to correct this instability, the glider pilot increased altitude, causing the glider to rise above the towing aircraft. To prevent a loss of control for the tow plane, the pilot released the tow cable. Following the release, the glider entered a 90-degree left turn and descended toward a field adjacent to the runway. During the descent, the glider's left wing struck a telephone pole, which caused the wing to separate from the fuselage. The aircraft then impacted the ground approximately 150 meters east of the runway. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's condition, and the pilot's actions. The investigation established that the pilot had performed a 20-minute instructional flight in a Blanik glider immediately prior to attempting this solo flight in the EC-CNU, indicating a lack of recent flight experience in this specific type.
The tow aircraft pilot reported that the initial towing procedure followed standard protocols under favorable weather conditions, but noted a sudden loss of tension in the cable, indicating the glider had disconnected. The investigation also analyzed the wreckage, confirming that the impact with the telephone pole was the primary cause of the structural failure of the left wing and the subsequent crash.