Incident Overview
On August 13, 2015, an accident occurred at Flugplatz Klix (EDCP) in Germany involving a Robin DR 400/180 R and a Schleicher ASH 26 E. The incident was investigated by the German Federal Aviation Accident Investigation Agency (BFU) under case number BFU 15-1098-3X. The report was concluded summarily, focusing exclusively on factual findings.
Sequence of Events
At approximately 15:46 local time, a 72-year-old glider pilot took off in the ASH 26 E behind the DR 400/180 R for a local flight. Both pilots were guests at an air sports camp hosted by their clubs. Witnesses observed that shortly after takeoff, the glider climbed significantly higher than the tow plane. At an altitude of roughly 30 meters, the DR 400/180 R began to pitch up and roll to the left. The aircraft subsequently impacted a field southwest of runway 10, approximately 140 meters beyond the threshold, resulting in total destruction.
The glider pilot executed a 180-degree turn and landed safely on the airfield grounds. The tow pilot was seriously injured and transported to a hospital, while the glider pilot remained uninjured. No third-party damage or fire occurred at the scene.
Aircraft and Personnel Details
The Robin DR 400/180 R, manufactured in 1980 with serial number 1513, had accumulated approximately 4,803 flight hours. It was owned by an air sports club and last inspected on February 12, 2015. The 44-year-old tow pilot held a private pilot license with single-engine land and glider towing endorsements, possessing 187 total flight hours and 90 hours on type.
The Schleicher ASH 26 E, a 2012 model with serial number 26089, had 255 flight hours. It was registered as a motor glider and owned by a community of owners. The 72-year-old glider pilot held a glider pilot license with towing, winch, and self-launch endorsements, with approximately 1,338 total glider hours.
Investigation Findings
Meteorological conditions at the time were visual flight rules (VFR) with light cloud cover, winds of 10–15 km/h from 355°, and a temperature of 34°C. The airfield features a 950-meter grass runway oriented 100°/280°.
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the DR 400/180 R came to rest on its underside with severe structural damage to the fuselage, cockpit, and wings. The tow cable was found broken approximately 14 cm behind the glider's hook. Evidence indicated that the tow pilot had attempted to cut the cable during the incident. No technical malfunctions were identified in either aircraft.