Fatal glider accident near Villingendorf

Casualties unknown • nahe Villingendorf, DE

A motorized glider crashed during an outlanding maneuver near Villingendorf, Germany, resulting in the death of the pilot.

What happened

On May 29, 2010, a Schempp-Hirth Discus bT motorized glider departed from the Hahnweide glider airfield near Kirchheim/Teck via winch launch for a cross-country flight. The pilot intended to fly toward the Black Forest region. After flying in a southwesterly then westerly direction, the aircraft turned southeast.

At approximately 16:15 local time, the aircraft ended its final thermal climb at an altitude of about 350 meters. The glider proceeded southeast at approximately 110 km/h. At 16:20, the aircraft was located south of Villingendorf. The flight data recorder indicated that in the final ten seconds of the flight, the speed reached 130 km/h and the altitude was 38 meters above ground.

The pilot attempted an outlanding on a flat, leveled cornfield approximately 200 meters long. According to witness testimony, the aircraft approached the landing area with a longitudinal pitch angle of approximately three to five degrees. During the landing sequence, the aircraft's skid wheel struck the top edge of an embankment preceding a road. The glider then flew over the road and struck the opposite rising embankment. The impact caused the aircraft to pitch up, yaw approximately 60 degrees to the left, and strike the ground, coming to a halt after a few meters. The impact resulted in one fatality and heavy damage to the aircraft.

The investigation

The BFU examined the wreckage and analyzed flight data from the FLARM collision warning system. Investigators found that the aircraft's landing gear was extended and locked, and the engine was deployed and locked. The master switch, ignition, and fuel valve were all in the on/open position, with 11.25 liters of fuel remaining in the tank. The electric fuel pump was functional. The investigation found no evidence of technical malfunction in the aircraft.

Findings

  • The aircraft struck the edge of an embankment before crossing a road and hitting an opposing slope.
  • The impact destroyed the cockpit area, including the canopy and seat shell, and caused structural failures at the wing roots.
  • The aircraft struck an embankment during the landing maneuver, leading to the fatal impact.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck an embankment during an outlanding maneuver, which led to a secondary impact with an opposing slope and the subsequent destruction of the cockpit area.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-05-29 Schempp-Hirth Discus bT accident near nahe Villingendorf, DE?

A motorized glider crashed during an outlanding maneuver near Villingendorf, Germany, resulting in the death of the pilot.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-05-29 involved a Schempp-Hirth Discus bT, at nahe Villingendorf, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck an embankment during an outlanding maneuver, which led to a secondary impact with an opposing slope and the subsequent destruction of the cockpit area.

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