What happened
On June 12, 2014, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2 CXT glider, registration D-KGPL, departed Mantes-Chérence aerodrome for a local flight via aero-tow. After releasing from the tow cable at an altitude of approximately 500 meters, the pilot attempted to start the aircraft's retractable sustainer engine. However, because the pilot had failed to switch the electrical contact to the 'ON' position, the engine failed to start.
Unable to find rising thermals, the pilot decided to return to the aerodrome to land on runway 12. During the approach, the pilot became preoccupied with the rotating propeller and the difficulty of retracting the engine mechanism. As the aircraft approached the intersection of the runways, the pilot realized the glider was likely to overshoot the runway longitudinally. To correct this, the pilot initiated a left turn toward runway 04. During this maneuver, the left wingtip struck the ground, causing the aircraft to bounce (ground loop) and resulting in the structural failure of the tail boom.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the engine failure and the subsequent loss of control during the landing phase. Investigators examined the pilot's actions regarding the engine deployment, the cockpit configuration, and the flight parameters recorded by the onboard 'Volkslogger' device. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience and the presence of necessary flight documentation, such as the engine start checklist.
Findings
- The pilot did not have the engine start checklist on board, leading to the omission of the electrical 'ON' switch during the engine start attempt.
- The pilot's attention was heavily focused on the engine and the rotating propeller, which prevented him from managing other critical flight parameters.
- The aircraft approached the runway at an excessive speed with the airbrakes and flaps fully retracted.
- The pilot's focus on the engine deployment likely induced stress, causing him to neglect radio communications and standard approach procedures.
- The decision to execute a low-altitude turn to avoid overshooting the runway directly led to the wing strike.