What happened
On May 15, 2022, a DG 600/18 glider departed from the Gießen-Wieseck glider airfield via a winch launch for a local flight. Approximately six minutes after the launch, at an altitude of roughly 340 meters, the aircraft completed several circles at a constant altitude.
While the pilot was performing a left-hand turn toward the southeast at an altitude of 240 meters, the aircraft stalled and entered an uncontrolled, spin-like motion. Although the pilot managed to regain control of the aircraft near the ground, the DG 600/18 struck trees during the recovery maneuver. The impact caused the aircraft to break apart, with debris scattered through the treetops. The glider eventually came to rest in an orchard near the edge of the village of Rödgen. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the flight sequence, the pilot's experience, and the mechanical condition of the aircraft. Investigators reconstructed the flight path using GPS data from a collision warning device. The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, noting that the last inspection had been completed in February 2022.
Physical examination of the wreckage revealed that the T-tail had separated from the fuselage and the wingtips had been torn from the wings. However, the investigation found no evidence of technical malfunctions or pre-existing mechanical defects. The meteorological conditions at the time were within visual flight rules (VFR) limits, with light winds and clear visibility.
Findings
- The pilot had significant total flight experience but had only completed 15 flight hours in the DG 600/18 since acquiring the aircraft in November 2021.
- The primary cause of the accident was that the aircraft undershot the minimum airspeed required for the bank angle while initiating a turn.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's limited familiarity with the specific handling characteristics of this aircraft model.