What happened
On July 2, 2020, a student pilot was conducting a solo training flight in a PZL Bielsko SZD 51 1 Junior glider, registration OY-PKX, at Kalundborg Airport (EKKL). During the fifth flight of the day, the student intended to perform a precision landing specifically to stop within a designated training field located along the extended centerline of runway 27.
To ensure the aircraft stopped within the short grass area, the pilot planned to land just before the training field. During the final approach, the aircraft flew lower than intended and drifted approximately 1.5 meters south of the runway centerline. At this location, a Duo Discus T glider was parked. Unlike standard practice, the parked aircraft had its right wingtip raised off the ground. The left wingtip of OY-PKX struck the elevated tip-rib of the parked glider. The impact caused the wing of the student's aircraft to delaminate and the aircraft to veer sharply left, eventually striking the ground with its nose and main wheel.
The investigation
The investigation by AIB Denmark examined the flight path using FLARM data, which confirmed a stable and controlled approach prior to the collision. Investigators reviewed the club's aircraft parking configurations and the student's training objectives. The inquiry noted that the student was focused on achieving a specific landing point to meet training goals, which influenced the decision to land in a restricted area. The investigation also looked into the parking of the Duo Discus T, noting that its position was very close to the extended centerline and that its wingtip was improperly elevated.
Findings
- The student pilot's intense focus on stopping within the training field likely caused them to overlook the risks associated with landing short of the designated area.
- The final approach was lower than planned, and the aircraft drifted south of the centerline.
- The parked aircraft was positioned dangerously close to the extended centerline with an elevated wingtip, creating a significant hazard.
- There was a lack of formal procedures to verify that aircraft parking configurations were safe before flight operations commenced.
- Informal operational pressures to avoid landing too far south (to keep the runway clear for subsequent launches) may have influenced the pilot's decision to land short.