History of Flight
On October 13, 2011, at about 1558 Pacific daylight time, a Flugzeugbau DG 1000 S glider, registration N7760A, impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude shortly after takeoff from Cle Elum Municipal Airport (S93), Cle Elum, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The two-seat glider sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and wings. The glider was registered to Northwest Eagle Soaring LLC and operated under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
The accident occurred after an automobile ground launch. The launch sequence was filmed for a television commercial. A full-size sport utility vehicle towed the glider; the launch commenced near the threshold of runway 7.
The tow vehicle driver reported towing the glider multiple times before the accident. On the morning of the accident, the driver and pilot briefed the flight. The driver stated the pilot instructed him to reach 70 mph as quickly as possible so the glider could become airborne. The pilot planned to become airborne and then circle back to land. The driver reached 70 mph near the runway midpoint and observed the glider become airborne. A ground support person in the tow vehicle reported that the glider was aloft but the tow rope had broken, so the driver was instructed to exit the runway. Shortly thereafter, the driver observed the glider nose-dive into the ground.
A witness near the accident site recorded a video. The video showed the glider beginning its takeoff roll near the approach end of runway 7, towed by the SUV. As the tow vehicle accelerated, the glider became airborne and remained wings level in ground effect until about the runway midpoint. Shortly after, the glider pitched to a steep nose-high attitude and climbed while still tethered. The tow rope slackened and fell to the ground. The glider then pitched to a level attitude and remained over the runway, wings level, on an easterly heading about 200 feet above the runway. Near the departure end, the glider entered a steep banked turn to the right. The nose dropped as the bank increased. During descent, the glider rotated about 300 degrees from its departure heading before impacting terrain in a steep nose-low attitude.
Other witnesses near the departure runway reported the first stage of the launch appeared normal; the glider became airborne within the first third of the runway. About three-quarters down the runway, the glider pitched to a steep nose-high attitude. As it ascended through about 100–125 feet, the rope slackened. The glider continued climbing, then leveled off about 200 feet above the runway end. Shortly after, it entered a steep right bank and descended, turning approximately 300 degrees before impact.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 53, held a commercial pilot certificate with glider, airplane single-engine land, single-engine sea, and instrument ratings. He also held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine land, glider, and instrument ratings. He held a second-class airman medical certificate issued August 5, 2011, with a limitation to wear corrective lenses. His logbook was not recovered; on his most recent medical application, he reported 1,610 total civilian flight hours.
Aircraft Information
The DG-1000S two-seat glider was manufactured by DG Flugzeugbau, GmbH, Germany, largely of composite materials with retractable main landing gear. It received an FAA airworthiness certificate in December 2003. An annual inspection was completed on September 28, 2011, at an airframe total time of 764 hours. The nylon tow rope was about 234 feet long and 5/16-inch in diameter.
Meteorological Information
The closest aviation weather observation was at Ellensburg, Washington, about 17 miles southeast, at 1553: winds from 160 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 60°F, dew point 35°F, altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury.
Airport Information
Cle Elum Municipal Airport is in a valley at elevation 1,944 feet, surrounded by rising mountainous terrain. It has a hard-surfaced asphalt runway designated 07/25. Runway 07 is 2,552 feet long and 40 feet wide, bordered to the north by large conifer trees.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The glider was mostly intact and came to rest in high grass adjacent to the departure end of runway 07. Postaccident examination by NTSB and FAA revealed extensive impact damage to the cockpit and forward section. Flight control continuity to the elevator, flight spoilers, and ailerons was established. No evidence of a preexisting malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation was found.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the Kittitas County Coroner reported the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicological tests by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute were negative for all screened drug substances and ingested alcohol.
Additional Information
The tow rope broke during the initial takeoff; however, examination of the rope and associated hardware showed no evidence of a preexisting malfunction or excessive wear that would have precluded normal operation.