Overview
On 1 August 2008, a single-seat glider of Polish manufacture, type SZD-51-1 Junior, registration D-2802, crashed near the village of Strážné in the Krkonoše Mountains. The glider was operated by a German aeroclub. The pilot, a 19-year-old female with a private pilot license and 75 hours of glider experience, was the sole occupant.
Flight Details
The glider departed from Vrchlabí Airport (LKVR) at 09:09 UTC via aerotow behind a Z-226 towplane (registration OK-KMJ). Release occurred at an altitude of approximately 600 m AGL near the village of Čistá, about 3 km east of Vrchlabí. The pilot then flew northwest of Vrchlabí, over Strážné and the slopes of the Krkonoše Mountains. Data from the onboard GPS logger showed that about 15 minutes before the accident, the glider was at an altitude of about 1000 m AMSL over a valley leading toward Špindlerův Mlýn. The flight path then reversed 180° back toward Strážné. During the return leg of approximately 3.5–4 km, the glider lost 150–200 m of altitude, descending to a height that witnesses estimated as 20–30 m AGL near the accident site.
Accident Sequence
The glider struck a tree about 15 m tall within a group of trees and became lodged in the crown. Approximately 30 minutes later, it fell spontaneously to the ground, landing on a hard surface beneath the tree. The total flight duration from takeoff to the accident was 1 hour 51 minutes. The on-site investigation found the air brakes extended and the longitudinal trim set slightly nose-heavy. The cockpit canopy was torn off, the forward fuselage was destroyed, the left wing attachment was pulled out, and the primary structure of the left wing was compromised. The tail surfaces were largely intact.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained a fractured left leg and a contusion to the right shoulder, as recorded by the emergency medical services. She was extricated from the wreckage and transported to a hospital in Hradec Králové. The glider was destroyed. No other persons or property were damaged.
Investigation and Cause
The investigation found no technical defects with the glider. The pilot held valid qualifications and medical certificate. Weather conditions were suitable for flight. The altimeter was set to the QFE value for Vrchlabí at the time of departure (952 mb). The altitude loss during the final phase left insufficient altitude to reach Vrchlabí Airport, and the terrain ahead included higher peaks. The probable cause of the accident was uncontrolled piloting technique during a landing attempt in terrain, leading to a collision with a tree crown before the intended landing spot. The pilot underestimated the conditions for gliding flight in mountainous terrain.