What happened
On May 13, 2005, at approximately 16:30 local time, a Glas-Dirks DG-600/18 glider, registration PH-837, was performing a local flight at Lemelerveld airfield. The aircraft was attempting a winch launch from the eastern runway. During the initial acceleration phase, the aircraft appeared to be behaving normally. However, just before the glider could lift off from the ground, the fuselage underwent a sudden lateral movement. This was immediately followed by the right wing dropping rapidly, causing the wingtip to strike the turf. The momentum caused the left wing and fuselage to pitch upward, resulting in the aircraft flipping onto its back. The pilot sustained light injuries during the incident, and the aircraft was heavily damaged.
The investigation
The investigation was conducted based on information provided by the pilot and an eyewitness, as investigators did not attend the site in person. The investigation focused on the ground conditions and the aircraft's path during the takeoff roll. Witnesses noted that the grass was short but wet, and the wind was blowing from the northeast. The investigation also examined the setup of the cable parachute attachment, which was positioned directly in front of the glider prior to the connection of the release mechanism.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the aircraft encountering a water-filled track in a soft, boggy section of the grass during the takeoff roll.
- This uneven, muddy surface caused the glider to skid to the left, leading to the wingtip digging into the ground.
- The descent of the right wing occurred with such suddenness that the pilot was unable to implement effective corrective controls to prevent the capsize.