What happened
On May 28, 2015, a training flight was conducted at the Bartholomä airfield during a flight camp. A flight instructor and a student pilot were preparing for a training flight in a Schempp-Hirth Janus Ce using a winch launch method. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft accelerated very slowly, resulting in a late liftoff. At an altitude of approximately 50 to 60 meters, the instructor requested more speed via radio. Shortly thereafter, the tow rope detached from the glider.
Following the release, the aircraft entered a right-hand turn and quickly transitioned into a steep nose-down attitude. The glider struck an agricultural field approximately 40 meters east of the runway edge. The accident resulted in one fatality (the student pilot) and one serious injury (the flight instructor). The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BFU examined the aircraft, the flight records, and the pilot's experience. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits and found no evidence of technical malfunctions. The weather conditions were favorable, with good visibility and light winds.
The investigation also reviewed the training status of the student pilot, noting that while the instructor was highly experienced, the student had only completed approximately three and a half hours of flight time in this specific aircraft type and had not yet mastered certain maneuvers, such as handling launch interruptions.
Findings
- The winch launch was aborted by the instructor because the takeoff speed was insufficient.
- The student pilot was unable to independently manage the aircraft during the launch interruption.
- The aircraft entered an overstressed flight condition (stall) due to insufficient airspeed.
- The lack of altitude reserve prevented the instructor from recovering the aircraft from the stall.
- The aircraft's flight characteristics were complicated by its advanced design, including flapped wings and a retractable undercarriage.