Bocian hits a poplar on an off-field landing after running low on a check ride
Two pilots were injured, one seriously, when an SZD-9 Bocian struck a poplar during an off-field landing near Oschatz and came to rest inverted; the glider was destroyed. On a check ride for a gliding-instructor rating, the two flew steep-turn exercises and a deliberate-error demonstration after releasing at 500 m, ending lower than usual but judging the height still enough to reach the field. They then met a downdraft and, unable to clear a wood short of the airfield, turned about 70 degrees left to land in a field ahead. On final the glider hit a hybrid poplar, spun 180 degrees and struck the ground nose-first. No technical fault was found.
- Check ride for an instructor rating: An SZD-9 Bocian aerotow-launched at Oschatz for a check ride for a gliding-instructor rating, with an examiner and a candidate on board.
- Exercises eat the height: After releasing at 500 m the pair flew steep-turn exercises and a deliberate-error demonstration, ending lower than usual.
- Low, but judged enough for the field: Both agreed the remaining height was below normal but still enough to reach the airfield, and announced an approach from an unusual position.
- Caught in a downdraft short of a wood: They then met a downdraft and could no longer clear a wood in front of the airfield.
- Divert late to a field: They turned about 70 degrees left to outland in a field ahead.
- Strikes a poplar, flips inverted: On final the glider hit a hybrid poplar, spun 180 degrees and struck the ground nose-first, coming to rest inverted; the examiner was seriously and the candidate slightly injured, and the glider destroyed.