Puchacz return below pattern altitude; strong sink, forest impact

A Puchacz (SZD-50-3) departed Schwarzheide on aerotow for a sightseeing flight (pilot + passenger). After release the glider thermalled to ~1,000 m GND north of the airfield, then ranged 5 km NW and 4 km south to Lauchhammer at 550 m GND. Returning east toward the airfield at ~200 m GND ~3 km out — below pattern altitude for a normal return — the glider made a left turn to 280°. Over the next 600 m it descended to 80 m GND with sink exceeding 6 m/s. Impact in a 20 m pine forest ~2 km NW of the airfield; aft fuselage separated behind the wings. Aircraft destroyed; pilot and passenger seriously injured. No technical defects found.

1. Aerotow + thermal local flight: Aerotow from Schwarzheide for a sightseeing flight (pilot + passenger). Tow ended over Senftenberg; pilot thermalled west and climbed to ~1,000 m GND about 4 km north of the airfield. CAVOK, 8 kt easterly, 18 °C; no defects, CG and mass within envelope.
2. Extended distance from airfield: After the high point the glider flew 5 km NW past it, then ~4 km south, reaching Lauchhammer at 12:10 at 550 m GND — now ~6 km SW of the airfield with progressively less altitude margin.
3. Below pattern altitude on return: Returning east toward Schwarzheide. About 3 km west of the airfield the glider was at ~200 m GND; with the 8 kt easterly headwind on the return leg, a still-air direct glide would have arrived over the airfield at only ~75–80 m AGL — well below typical 200–300 m pattern altitude. A normal pattern entry was no longer possible from this energy state.
4. High sink encounter at low altitude: From ~200 m GND the glider made a left turn to a 280° heading and over the next ~600 m descended to 80 m GND with a sink rate exceeding 6 m/s. GPS recording ends at 12:15 at 80 m GND.
5. Pine forest impact - both injured: Impact into a 20 m tall pine forest ~2 km NW of Schwarzheide airfield. Aft fuselage separated behind the wings; aircraft destroyed. Pilot and passenger both seriously injured. No technical defects found in subsequent inspection.