Incident Overview
On August 13, 2020, a fatal accident occurred at the Hessisch Lichtenau airfield in Germany. A Robin DR 400/180 R single-engine aircraft, operated by an aviation club, was towing a Schleicher K8B glider when it entered an uncontrolled flight state at low altitude and impacted the ground. The tow pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the glider pilot remained uninjured after releasing the towline and landing safely.
Flight Sequence
The aircraft had been transferred from Wolfhagen for a two-week flying camp. The day's plan involved alternating between winch launches and aerotows to maintain proficiency. The first tow flight, conducted by a different pilot, completed successfully with a release at 300–400 meters. Approximately twenty minutes later, the second pilot assumed control of the DR 400/180 R. After a routine pre-flight check that excluded a full engine test due to the recent prior flight, the pair took off from runway 09 at 16:39 local time.
Accident Dynamics
Flight data and witness accounts indicate the tow began normally, climbing to approximately 50 meters above ground level. The aircraft then deviated left of the intended track. Within seconds, the DR 400/180 R rolled over its left wing and entered a steep descent. The glider pilot observed the unexpected maneuver and released the towline at 16:41, landing safely on the grass strip. The tow aircraft struck the ground behind trees approximately one minute after takeoff.
Aircraft and Pilot Details
The DR 400/180 R (serial number 1130, built in 1976) had a total operating time of 4,201 hours. The 44-year-old tow pilot held a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL(A)) with towing privileges and had completed specific training on this aircraft type in 2018. His last five tows on this model occurred three days prior to the accident. The K8B glider (serial number 8928, built in 1974) was undamaged. The investigation file is designated BBU20-0660-3X.