What happened
On April 21, 2005, at approximately 10:30 UTC, a Rolladen Schneider LS8-18 glider, registration HB-3313, was involved in a fatal accident at the Romeo Sartori Airport in Asiago, Italy. The pilot, a 56-year-old Swiss national with extensive flight experience, was performing a winch-assisted launch, which was the second flight of the day.
Following a routine ground roll, the glider ascended into a very steep climb. Witnesses observed that shortly after leaving the ground, the aircraft suddenly dropped its right wing and rolled over, descending violently toward the ground. The impact occurred at a low altitude, causing the total destruction of the aircraft and the immediate death of the pilot.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the wreckage, the launch system, and the flight conditions. The wreckage was found inverted on the grass runway. Physical evidence, including craters in the ground, indicated that the left wingtip struck the surface first, followed by the cockpit. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was well-maintained and that the winch system, operated by a qualified and experienced winch driver, was fully functional and the cable equipment was intact.
Meteorological conditions were favorable, with light winds and good visibility. While the pilot was highly experienced in glider operations, records indicated he had not performed any winch launches using this specific aircraft model within the previous 90 days.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the stall of the right wing during the initial phase of the winch launch.
- The stall occurred at an altitude of approximately 30 to 40 meters, leaving the pilot with insufficient time or altitude to recover the aircraft.
- The loss of control was likely triggered by improper aircraft handling during the high-pitch phase of the launch, where an asymmetric roll can increase the angle of attack on the descending wing, leading to a stall.
- A contributing factor may have been the pilot's limited recent experience performing winch launches specifically in the Rolladen Schneider LS8-18.