What happened
On June 4, 2005, at approximately 18:20, a Centrair SNC 34 C Alliance glider, registered F-CJBB, was performing a solo winch launch from runway 32 at Nogaro aerodrome. During the climb, at an altitude of roughly 70 meters, the winch cable snapped.
In response to the loss of lift, the trainee pilot applied significant forward pressure on the control column and deployed the airbrakes, attempting to land on the remaining runway surface. Realizing the available runway distance was insufficient, the pilot decided to clear a treeline at the end of the runway to reach a flat, grassy area near a nearby motor racing circuit. During the maneuver, the instructor contacted the pilot via radio to instruct him not to attempt a turnaround.
As the glider touched down, the pilot realized the aircraft would not stop before hitting a concrete wall bordering the racing circuit. The pilot executed a right-hand turn, which successfully brought the aircraft to a halt. The landing resulted in damage to the left wingtip and the vertical stabilizer.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the winch system and the operational procedures of the club. The winch setup utilized two separate cables. One cable had been in service for approximately 2,300 launches, while the cable that failed had only been used for about 200 launches since its installation three months prior.
Investigators examined the club's maintenance and inspection protocols. At this facility, visual inspections are conducted before the first winch launch of the day, covering items such as fuses, parachutes, and potential repairs. However, the investigation noted that there are no specific regulatory requirements for the inspection of winch systems.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the rupture of the winch cable during the takeoff phase.
- The specific origin or cause of the cable failure could not be determined.
- The pilot's decision to land beyond the runway was driven by the insufficient remaining runway length following the cable break.