What happened
On August 1, 1999, at approximately 16:30, a Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 2 A single-seat glider, registered D-9249, was performing a local flight departing from Chauvigny aerodrome. During the initial climb following takeoff from runway 23, the aircraft began experiencing increasing vertical oscillations. In an attempt to manage the instability, the pilot released the tow cable at an altitude of approximately 40 meters.
After stabilizing the aircraft, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a maize field located across the Vienne river. During the approach to the ground, the glider likely entered a stall. The aircraft struck the ground with significant force, impacting the terrain cockpit-first before rolling forward and coming to a stop. The accident resulted in one pilot severely injured and the total destruction of the glider.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical and aerodynamic factors contributing to the instability during the climb. Investigators examined the aircraft's configuration, noting that the glider was equipped with a monobloc stabilizer and a towing/winching hook located under the fuselage. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the pilot held a German license, they had only 250 total flying hours and only 40 minutes of experience on this specific aircraft type, having flown it only once previously that morning.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was inappropriate pitch movements during the landing attempt.
- The pilot's limited experience with the specific characteristics of the Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 2 A contributed to the difficulty in managing the aircraft.
- The specific design features of the aircraft, including the under-fuselage hook and the monobloc stabilizer, likely increased the susceptibility to the oscillations experienced during takeoff.