What happened
On June 2, 2011, during a gliding competition at the Hahnweide airfield, a LAK-17A glider was participating in a competition task. Due to several delays and a reduction in the required flight distance, the aircraft's takeoff was delayed until 16:24 local time.
Flight data recorded from the aircraft showed that at 17:33, the glider began flying in a straight line toward the northwest without gaining altitude. During the final eight kilometers of the flight, the aircraft flew at an altitude of only 30 to 60 meters above the ground. Witnesses observed the glider flying on a northern course before turning right, banking over the right wing, and entering a spiral dive. The aircraft struck the ground approximately 540 meters northwest of the threshold of runway 17, resulting in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the flight data from two GPS devices carried on board, as well as the wreckage and meteorological conditions. The investigation established that the aircraft struck the ground nearly vertically, with the right winglet and the nose of the fuselage making primary impact. The wreckage showed significant structural failure, including a broken fuselage cone and broken wing spars.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting he was a highly experienced pilot with a valid glider license and flight instructor rating. Meteorological data from the German Weather Service (DWD) indicated that while the day began with heavy cloud cover, some thermal activity developed in the afternoon, though it was likely fragmented due to strong northeast winds and orographic effects from the local terrain.