Fatal glider crash following towline separation at Purkshof

Casualties unknown • Flugplatz Purkshof, DE

A glider pilot was killed when his aircraft became disconnected from the towplane at a low altitude, leading to an unrecoverable descent at Purkshof airfield.

What happened

On August 20, 2015, several pilots from a local gliding club gathered at Purkshof airfield for a shared flying day. At approximately 12:05 local time, the pilot initiated a glider tow, with a DG-100G Elan being pulled by a Robin DR 400.

Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of only about 15 to 20 meters, the towline separated from the glider. It is believed the pilot may have released the cable. Following the separation, the glider continued forward with a steadily increasing pitch angle. The aircraft eventually struck the grass runway, resulting in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.

The investigation

The BFU examined the wreckage and the pilot's background. The investigation found that the aircraft, registration DG-100G, was in a valid state of airworthiness, and both the takeoff weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits. Technical inspections of the glider's control surfaces—including the ailerons, rudder, and elevator—showed no functional defects or mechanical failures. While the impact caused severe structural damage, including a broken fuselage and a deformed elevator attachment point, investigators determined these injuries were the result of the high-impact crash rather than a pre-existing mechanical issue.

Medical examinations of the pilot revealed no evidence of any illness or medical condition that could have contributed to the accident. The investigation also noted that while the pilot was highly experienced, his recent experience with the specific tow-start method was limited, as his last tow-start had occurred more than three months prior.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was the separation of the towline from the glider during the initial climb phase at a very low altitude.
  • The glider entered a continuous, increasing pitch-down flight path following the separation.
  • The cause of the glider's flight path and the lack of effective control following the release could not be determined.
  • Meteorological conditions were favorable, with high visibility and light winds, and played no role in the accident.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the separation of the glider from the towplane at a low altitude, followed by an unrecoverable descent; the specific reason for the aircraft's uncontrolled flight path after separation remains unknown.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-08-20 Elan DG-100G Elan accident near Flugplatz Purkshof, DE?

A glider pilot was killed when his aircraft became disconnected from the towplane at a low altitude, leading to an unrecoverable descent at Purkshof airfield.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-08-20 involved a Elan DG-100G Elan, at Flugplatz Purkshof, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the separation of the glider from the towplane at a low altitude, followed by an unrecoverable descent; the specific reason for the aircraft's uncontrolled flight path after separation remains unknown.

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