What happened
On June 10, 2003, a Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A glider departed from the grass runway 22 at Baden-Oos airfield via a tow operation. The takeoff initially proceeded normally. However, shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of approximately 50 meters, the pilot radioed that he had released from the tow cable, providing no explanation for the early release.
As the pilot attempted a right-hand turn, the aircraft entered an increasingly steep bank. This maneuver led to the right wing striking a tree located only 5 to 7 meters above the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to spin and crash sideways with the nose leading. The pilot sustained severe head and spinal injuries and passed away in the hospital a few hours later. The accident resulted in one fatality and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the flight sequence to determine why the aircraft entered an uncontrollable turn following the release. Investigators found that the accident site was located in a wooded area of a tree nursery, approximately 200 meters from the threshold of runway 04.
Upon inspecting the aircraft, investigators discovered that the right wing had been breached, with parts of the control linkages torn out. Crucially, the investigation revealed that the aileron connection on the right side was found in an unlinked and unused state. Additionally, the left aileron connection was also found to be unlinked and unsecured. Both connection points showed no signs of structural deformation or forced opening, indicating they had not been properly engaged prior to flight.