SZD-9 Bocian crash during training flight near Dessau results in two fatalities
On July 10, 2001, a Zaklady SZD-9 bis 1E Bocian crashed during a training flight near Dessau, Germany. The glider, piloted by an experienced instructor and a student, entered a spin after release from the tow plane and impacted the ground almost vertically. Both occupants were fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The investigation revealed that the instructor suffered a heart attack during the flight, which may have contributed to the inability to recover from the spin. Weather conditions at the time were reported as normal, with no technical faults found in the glider.
- Aerotow training flight: A dual instructional flight for PPL-C training in a Bocian glider commenced by aerotow from Dessau with the student in front and the instructor in the rear seat.
- Instructor heart disease: The instructor had severe pre-existing coronary artery disease and suffered a fresh extensive myocardial infarction during the flight, likely impairing his ability to supervise and control the glider.
- Post-release maneuvering: After tow release at about 450 m and several normal circles, the glider flew in a southeasterly direction with large pitch oscillations and high angles of attack, consistent with stall recognition or similar maneuvers at relatively low height.
- Low-altitude spin entry: Approximately 400 m beyond the launch point at 250–300 m altitude, the glider entered a fully developed spin with two to three rotations observed and no visible recovery inputs.
- Unrecovered spin descent: The spin continued without effective recovery action, possibly aggravated by the incapacitated instructor and potential partial blockage of the controls.
- Crash - fatal: Still in an unrecovered stalled condition, the glider impacted the ground near the airfield at an angle of about 60–70 degrees, fatally injuring both occupants and destroying the aircraft.