What happened
On October 19, 2019, an Alexander Schleicher ASK 13 glider was conducting a training flight at the Ohlstadt-Pömetsried glider field. The flight, operated by a flight instructor and a student pilot, began with a winch launch. After releasing from the cable at an altitude of 340 meters, the aircraft flew straight for approximately 1,000 meters before initiating a turn toward the downwind leg.
During the flight, the instructor decided to perform a simulated cable break maneuver. As the aircraft approached the final quarter of the airfield pattern, the instructor increased the speed to approximately 170 km/h. The student pilot reported feeling concern regarding the low altitude and a perceived risk of colliding with a radio mast. During this phase, the left wingtip of the glider struck the canopy of a tree at the edge of the airfield.
The aircraft subsequently entered a spiral descent into a wooded area. The impact resulted in the destruction of the ASK 13, with the flight instructor suffering serious injuries and the student pilot sustaining minor injuries. The accident also caused damage to the surrounding vegetation.
The investigation
The BFU investigation utilized GPS data from a FLARM collision warning device to reconstruct the flight path. Investigators examined the aircraft's condition, finding no evidence of technical malfunctions. The investigation also reviewed the student's training progress, noting she had completed 16 solo flights. The BFU also evaluated the instructor's decision-making process and the adherence to the German Aero Club (DAeC) training methodologies regarding simulated launch interruptions.
Findings
- The instructor initiated a simulated cable break maneuver at an altitude and position that were not suitable for the student's current training level.
- The maneuver was performed in a manner that did not align with established training methodologies, specifically by attempting a low-altitude turn at the end of the airfield pattern.
- The aircraft failed to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the tree line at the edge of the airfield.
- The instructor failed to maintain the necessary airspeed during the climb and subsequent turn, leading to an uncontrolled flight state and the subsequent collision.