Colisión del SZD-55-1 con aeronave estacionada en el aeródromo de Bad Ragaz durante el remolque aéreo
El 30 de marzo de 1992, un PZL Bielsko SZD-55-1 experimentó un incidente durante un remolque aéreo en el aeródromo de Bad Ragaz en Suiza. Poco después de comenzar el remolque, el ala derecha del planeador tocó el suelo, causando que se desviara de la pista pavimentada. El piloto soltó el cable de remolque pero no pudo detener el planeador, que colisionó con una aeronave Mooney estacionada. El planeador sufrió daños menores, mientras que el Mooney resultó significativamente dañado. El piloto sufrió heridas leves. La investigación identificó una instalación incorrecta del control de alerones como un factor contribuyente.
- Aerotow takeoff roll: During an aerotow departure on runway 12, the SZD-55-1 began its takeoff roll in variable 5–10 kt wind for the pilot’s seventh conversion flight on type.
- Misrigged aileron control: The right aileron drive lever had been incorrectly installed at the factory, giving both ailerons excessive positive setting and reducing roll control effectiveness.
- Right wing contacts ground: Shortly after the towplane began to pull, the glider’s right wingtip touched the ground in the grass area beside the paved runway.
- Veer off runway: The right wing was decelerated by the low grass and, despite full opposite aileron, the glider yawed and departed the hard-surface runway after about 30 meters.
- Tow cable released late: After being unable to raise the wing, the pilot released the nose hook tow cable only after roughly 50 meters of ground run, by which time the glider was already off the runway.
- Wheel brake not used: With only about three seconds remaining before impact, the pilot did not apply the wheel brake and the glider continued rolling unchecked toward a hangar.
- Crash - minor injury: After a total ground roll of about 100 meters, the unbraked glider collided heavily with a parked Mooney M20J, causing major damage to the Mooney, minor damage to the glider, and minor injury to the pilot.