What happened
On June 5, 2022, an Alexander Schleicher AS-K 13 glider, registration OY-PJX, was involved in an accident during a local VFR training flight at Kalundborg (EKKL). The flight utilized a winch launch method. During the takeoff roll on runway 27, the winch pull was insufficient.
The student pilot managed to lift the aircraft into the air at a low airspeed of approximately 75 km/h. However, at an altitude of only about 5 meters above the ground, the winch pull ceased. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and disconnected the cable, subsequently lowering the nose. Because the aircraft had not gained enough momentum, it failed to maintain flight and struck the ground with a high vertical sink rate. There were no fatalities or serious injuries resulting from the impact.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical and operational aspects of the launch. The impact was severe enough to force the main landing gear upward into the fuselage. Physical damage was identified on the main wheel fairing, the elevator and aileron control rod, the cross tube, and the rubber mounting plates for the main wheel.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the insufficient airspeed achieved during the launch phase.
- The winch pull was too low during the initial takeoff roll on runway 27.
- The cessation of the winch pull at a very low altitude (5 meters) left the aircraft with insufficient energy to maintain flight after the instructor lowered the nose to manage the descent.