What happened
On December 15, 2024, at approximately 20:30 UTC, a PZL SWDNIK PW5 glider, registration LV-EMI, was conducting a training flight at the Pergamino Aerodrome in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina. The aircraft was performing a local pleasure flight as part of a training session when it entered the final phase of the transit circuit for runway 22.
During this approach, the aircraft experienced a loss of control in flight. The glider impacted the ground approximately 150 meters from the runway threshold. The impact occurred with a high vertical and forward velocity in a nose-down attitude. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and the pilot, a 74-year-old male, sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the loss of control. Investigators focused on several key areas of the flight profile and environmental conditions:
- The aircraft's airspeed during the final approach, as witnesses reported the glider appeared to be approaching at a very high velocity.
- The impact of meteorological conditions, specifically the presence of sustained crosswinds reported by witnesses.
- The decision-making process regarding the landing procedure, specifically evaluating the continuity of the approach in relation to the aircraft's altitude and speed.
Findings
Preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft was operating under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with good visibility, though surface winds were reported as variable with a 9-knot component. The investigation is currently analyzing whether excessive airspeed during the approach was a primary factor in the loss of control.