What happened
On January 17, 2016, an ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER KA6-CR glider, registration EC-DVF, was performing a towed takeoff from runway 17 at the Igualada-Ódena aerodrome in Barcelona. The glider was being towed by a Rallye MS893E aircraft.
As the takeoff roll began, the glider began to deviate to the right of the tow plane's trajectory and experienced a lateral roll. Realizing the aircraft was becoming uncontrollable, the pilot released the tow cable. During the excursion, the glider's right wingtip struck the left main landing gear of a parked CESSNA 172. The impact caused the glider's right wing to break in half, though the parked aircraft sustained no damage. The pilot was uninjured and able to exit the aircraft on his own.
The investigation
The investigation examined meteorological data, aircraft condition, and the operational environment. Weather reports from the nearby Manresa station indicated a northeast wind of approximately 6 km/h with a maximum gust of 10 km/h. Investigators analyzed the aircraft's movement during the takeoff roll and the positioning of the parked aircraft relative to the runway centerline.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the destabilization of the glider during the takeoff roll due to a wind gust from the left, which forced the aircraft off the runway axis.
- The glider's right wing suffered a structural failure, breaking mid-span due to the impact.
- The presence of an aircraft parked too close to the edge of the runway contributed to the extent of the damage sustained by the glider.