What happened
On July 11, 2014, at approximately 14:00, a single-seat SZD-51-1 Junior glider, registration OH-804, was performing a training flight at Piikajärvi aerodrome. The pilot, a 24-year-old student with approximately 23 flight hours, was conducting a towed takeoff. This was only the pilot's third flight with this specific aircraft type.
As the takeoff commenced, the aircraft was assisted by another pilot who helped lift the wings to a level position. Shortly after the takeoff began, the glider experienced an unexpected loss of control at an altitude of only a few meters. The aircraft entered a series of rapid vertical oscillations, known as porpoising, and struck the runway with significant force. The impact caused the glider to bounce back into the air at an altitude of approximately 10 meters, after which it dove toward the ground at a 30–40 degree angle.
Witnesses observed the aircraft strike the ground near the runway, bounce, and slide several meters before coming to a halt. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and passed away at the scene despite emergency medical efforts.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's training history, the aircraft's configuration, and the sequence of events during the takeoff. The pilot had recently passed a flight test the day prior and had been undergoing type-specific training. Investigators also reviewed the settings of the aircraft's trim lever and the procedures followed during the pre-flight inspection.
Findings
- The immediate cause of the accident was the loss of control of the glider during the initial phase of the towed takeoff.
- A contributing factor was the pressure of a demanding situation, which likely impacted the pilot's performance during the critical moments of the takeoff.
- The aircraft's trim lever was found in position seven. While the flight manual suggests positions six or eight for different pilot weights, the training organization had previously advised using positions two or three for better stability. The investigation concluded that the trim setting was not a primary cause of the loss of control.
- The pilot had limited experience with this specific aircraft type, having flown it only a few times previously.
Safety action
- It is recommended that instructors monitor student solo takeoffs from the airfield using aviation radio to provide immediate guidance during emergencies.
- Training organizations should ensure that all pre-flight checks, specifically the proper engagement of wheel brakes, are strictly verified before departure.