What happened
On October 12, 2019, at approximately 10:50 UTC, an SZD-42-2 Jantar 2B glider, registration SP-1492, crashed on a pasture near the village of Mnichov u Vrbna pod Pradědem. The pilot had departed from Mikulovice airport to perform soaring flights utilizing wave activity behind the Jeseníky mountains.
After approximately 4.5 hours of flight at high altitude, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. During this period, a structural failure occurred at the wing junction, causing the glider to break apart in mid-air. The fuselage and tail section struck the ground with such force that they were completely destroyed. While the main fuselage impact site was located on the pasture, the two wing halves and the vertical stabilizer were discovered several kilometers away from the primary wreckage.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the pilot's flight history, the mechanical condition of the wreckage, and the meteorological conditions. The investigation focused on the pilot's use of oxygen equipment and the regulatory oversight of wave soaring operations at the airfield. Investigators analyzed the structural integrity of the wing joint and the pilot's physiological state during the high-altitude portion of the flight.
Findings
- The pilot was utilizing an unconventional method of oxygen delivery, inserting a tube into his mouth rather than using a standard nasal cannula or mask.
- Hypoxia occurred as the pilot was unaware of the oxygen deficiency, leading to a gradual loss of situational awareness regarding airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed.
- The glider was technically airworthy and equipped with the required oxygen supply, but the delivery method contributed to the pilot's physiological decline.
- There was a lack of proactive safety oversight; the airfield operator relied on the pilot's self-certification regarding compliance with wave soaring instructions and equipment requirements.
- The structural failure of the wing at the junction was the immediate cause of the aircraft's disintegration in flight.