What happened
On August 27, 2007, at approximately 12:07 local time, a Grob G109B motor glider prepared for a return flight from Lahr airfield. After receiving takeoff clearance for runway 03, the aircraft began its takeoff roll. Witnesses observed that the right cockpit door was open during the takeoff sequence.
Shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 feet, the aircraft entered a right-hand turn. The bank angle increased following a semi-circle maneuver, eventually leading to a stall. The aircraft impacted the airfield grounds, roughly 600 meters from the takeoff point and 120 meters east of the asphalt runway, at a near-vertical angle. The impact, which struck with the forward fuselage and the right wing, caused the cockpit area to disintegrate and the right wing to nearly detach from the fuselage. The pilot sustained fatal injuries after being ejected from the cabin during the crash.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the aircraft's condition and the flight sequence. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the cockpit's left shoulder harness was not secured in the buckle, although the lap belts were fastened. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure regarding the engine or the flight controls. Physical evidence on the right cockpit door confirmed that the door was not locked during the flight.