What happened
On May 3, 2003, a Ventus-2cM motor glider, registration HB-2098, crashed just before the threshold of runway 25 at Granges regional airport. The pilot was undergoing training to transition from standard gliders to self-launching motor gliders. During the flight, the pilot attempted to retract the engine but encountered difficulties because the propeller had not properly aligned.
While attempting to manage the partially extended engine, the pilot entered the final approach phase. During the turn to final, the aircraft's nose pitched up sharply, creating a dangerous flight attitude that risked an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground on an asphalt cycle path before sliding into a nearby field. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft, though there were no fatalities.
The investigation
Investigators examined the cockpit configuration and the pilot's training history. It was established that the pilot had recently completed training on a DG-505MB glider and was now transitioning to his own single-seat Ventus-2cM. The investigation focused on why the engine retraction failed and why the pilot lost control during the landing sequence.
Technical inspections revealed a mechanical issue with the camber flap lever, which could slip from its set position when the engine was running. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the cockpit ergonomics, noting that the control layout in the Ventus-2cM differed significantly from the pilot's previous training aircraft.