What happened
On July 18, 2015, at approximately 10:48 UTC, a LAK-17 AT powered sailplane was engaged in a cross-country flight operation at the Aerodrome of Maubray (EBTY). During the initial lift-off phase of a winch launch, the aircraft entered an extreme pitch-up attitude. This maneuver led to a stall on the right-hand wing, causing the aircraft to strike the grassy area adjacent to the runway at a steep angle. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and left the pilot with serious injuries.
The investigation
The Belgian Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU(Be)) conducted an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the launch phase and the operational experience of the crew. The investigation established that the aircraft's flight path was interrupted by a sudden change in pitch and a subsequent wing stall immediately following the start of the winch launch.