What happened
On May 1, 2012, a Rolladen Schneider LS 4 glider departed from Dinslaken/Schwarze Heide (EDLD) via winch launch for a training flight. The student pilot was performing a thermal flight near the airfield following instructions from an instructor. During the approach for landing, the pilot observed a two-seat trainer aircraft in the traffic pattern and decided to follow behind it. While flying a circuit to maintain separation from the other aircraft at an altitude of approximately 250 meters, the glider entered a period of very strong sinking.
The pilot notified the tower of an approach from an unusual position and extended the landing gear. As the aircraft approached the airfield from the northwest, it made contact with trees in a wooded area. Immediately after clearing the tree line, the glider struck a meadow, rotating approximately 90 degrees to the right upon impact. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, including a crushed nose, destroyed cockpit glazing, and significant damage to both wings. The student pilot sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The BFU examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the pilot's experience. The investigation confirmed that the glider had undergone its most recent annual airworthiness inspection on March 15, 2012. The pilot was an active student with approximately 48 total flight hours, including 21 hours in the Rolladen Schneider LS 4. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with visual flight rules (VFR) conditions, light cloud cover, and a 9-knot wind from 270 degrees.