What happened
On May 22, 2011, at approximately 11:33 AM, a Schempp-Hirth Discus-2CT glider departed from the Hahnweide glider airfield for a local flight. The aircraft was equipped with a retractable auxiliary engine, which was deployed during the flight. After approximately 20 minutes of flight time, the pilot attempted to land on runway 34 at the Nabern/Tepland special airfield.
As the aircraft entered the final approach, eyewitnesses observed the glider performing a left-hand turn at an altitude of roughly 20 to 30 meters. During this maneuver, the aircraft reached a bank angle of approximately 45 degrees. The glider then stalled or dropped over its left wing, pitching forward to a longitudinal angle of about 60 degrees. The aircraft struck a grain field located approximately 60 meters from the northern edge of runway 32.
The investigation
The BFU investigation reconstructed the flight path using GPS data, which showed the aircraft approaching the airfield from the west on a course of approximately 090 degrees. The investigation examined the wreckage and found the fuselage had broken in two places: once behind the cockpit and once in front of the tail section. The wings were compressed against the fuselage, and the left wing had detached from the aircraft.
The investigators also examined the aircraft's engine configuration. The auxiliary engine was found in the extended position, though the ignition was set to "on" and the fuel valve was set to "closed." Meteorological data indicated that the area was experiencing warm, unstable air masses, and a local thunderstorm shower was observed to the west of the airfield at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot sustained serious injuries during the impact.
- The Schempp-Hirth Discus-2CT was destroyed in the crash.
- The aircraft entered a steep descent and struck the ground following a loss of control during a low-altitude turn.