Puchacz return below pattern altitude; strong sink, forest impact
The pilot and passenger of a Puchacz (SZD-50-3) were seriously injured on a sightseeing flight from Schwarzheide. 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. The aircraft was destroyed. No technical defects found.
- Aerotow + thermal local flight: The glider took off on aerotow for a sightseeing flight, released over Senftenberg, then thermalled west and climbed to about 1,000 m about 4 km north of the airfield.
- 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.
- Below pattern altitude on return: Returning toward Schwarzheide, the glider was at about 200 m 3 km west of the field; against the headwind a direct glide would have arrived at only 75–80 m, below normal pattern altitude.
- 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.
- Pine forest impact - both injured: The glider struck a 20 m tall pine forest about 2 km northwest of the airfield; the aft fuselage separated behind the wings and both occupants were seriously injured.