Crashed during winch launch
On 29 June 2022, the Rolladen-Schneider LS1-d, a single seater glider, took off from Terlet glider airfield by the winch launch method. The glider immediately made a steep climb after becoming airborne. At an altitude of approximately 20 metres, the glider made a slight roll movement to the right followed by a left hand turn with a steep bank angle. The glider then attained a nose-down attitude, started to rotate counter clockwise and crashed into the ground. The pilot was fatally injured and the glider was destroyed.
Stall during rotation is still a risk of the winch launch method
The glider stalled at low height because the critical angle of attack had been exceeded, which was initiated by a high rotation rate in the beginning of the winch launch. The pilot was not able to recover from the stall. Gliding clubs regularly pay attention to the safe execution of the winch launch during the training of a glider pilot. This also happens during the day-to-day operation of gliding clubs.
Risks of the winch launch method, in particular the stall during rotation, require ongoing attention. It is important that student pilots and experienced pilots are aware of this pitfall.
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