What happened
On May 27, 2004, a Zaklad Remontowi MDM 1 Fox glider, registration F-CHHM, was performing aerobatic maneuvers at the Nancy Malzéville airfield. The pilot was practicing for an upcoming national championship. During the flight, an instructor monitoring the session via radio noted that the pilot began a programmed left roll at an altitude approximately 20 meters below the required 200-meter minimum.
As the aircraft climbed, the instructor observed that the pilot failed to perform the necessary control inputs for the left roll, specifically the required left stick and right rudder coordination. At the apex of the maneuver, the glider stalled with a significant right wing drop and began a right-hand turn. As the aircraft entered a dive, the instructor instructed the pilot to push the stick forward to regain airspeed. However, the aircraft subsequently entered a right-scale spin with a yawing rotation and a 40-degree dive angle. After nearly two rotations, the glider struck the ground at a 30-degree dive angle with high vertical velocity. The pilot was killed in the impact.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's flight controls and the pilot's maneuvers. Examination of the wreckage confirmed that the glider struck the ground with the right wing making initial contact. The cockpit sustained heavy damage, and no components were found to have detached during flight. The investigation verified that the rudder control cables were intact and that the aircraft was within its proper weight and balance limits.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting significant time on the MDM 1 Fox type, including several aerobatic sessions in the days immediately preceding the accident. The investigation also considered the lack of radio communication from the pilot during the final moments of the maneuver.