Glider accident at Jičín airfield (OK-3267)

Overview and aircraft details On 19 May 2013, a Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus glider, registration OK-3267, was involved in an accident at Jičín airfield. The aircraft was operated by Aeroklub Jičín o.s. and was a single-seat, all-laminate, mid-wing glider built in 1974. At the time of the accident, its total time was 3,442 hours and 6 minutes. ## Sequence of events The pilot was conducting a winch launch when, shortly after becoming airborne at an estimated 2 to 5 metres above the ground, he perceived a reduction in winch tension and believed the tow line might pass over the glider. He disconnected from the line and landed on an open area ahead. The glider stopped approximately 500 metres from the start of the takeoff. As the glider was rolling out, the tow line with its drogue fell onto it and became caught on the horizontal tail surface. The line’s movement toward the winch rotated the glider about its tail in the direction of the line’s travel until it stopped. The pilot was not injured during the rotation, and no other damage was reported. ## Personnel and operations The pilot was a 49-year-old man holding a valid glider pilot licence and a valid second-class medical certificate. His total glider experience was 1,100 hours, including 150 hours on the Standard Cirrus. The winch operator was a 70-year-old man who had been qualified to operate the winch since 1961. The winch operator stated that the winch had been functioning correctly and that he had performed about twenty winch launches that day. When he saw the glider disconnect, he assumed the line was ahead of the aircraft and continued to retrieve it. He stopped retrieval only after seeing the glider rotate after being caught by the line. ## Investigation findings A technical inspection found damage to the horizontal tail surface and minor damage to the lower part of the fuselage. No defects were found in the K-4 winch. The investigation concluded that the pilot was fit to fly, the glider had a valid airworthiness certificate, and the winch’s maintenance and operation complied with applicable directives and procedures. The landing itself was uneventful. The accident was caused by the tow line becoming caught on the glider’s tail surfaces as a result of the winch operator’s incorrect assessment of the line’s position after the glider disconnected.