Nimbus 3 DM engine fades at 40-50 m AGL, wingtip strike on emergency turn

On a self-launch from Dahlemer Binz, the pilot of a Nimbus 3 DM was seriously injured and the aircraft destroyed. The first takeoff had been aborted with low engine power suspected of vapor lock; a follow-up ground run was normal. On the second attempt the climb was normal to about 40-50 m AGL when engine power dropped again. With forest east of the field the pilot turned left near the RWY 23 threshold toward the glider area; the left wingtip touched in the turn, the aircraft rotated left, and the fuselage buckled as it slid about 87 m sideways.

1. Self-launch attempt at Dahlemer Binz: The pilot began a self-launch in a two-seat Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3 DM motorglider with retractable gear, carrying a passenger in the rear seat.
2. First takeoff aborted, low engine power: An earlier takeoff had been aborted for insufficient engine power, suspected vapor lock; a normal ground run followed and the pilot re-attempted the takeoff.
3. Forest to east, no outlanding option: The airfield was framed to the north and east by dense forest, leaving no suitable outlanding options to the east.
4. Engine power drops at ~40-50 m AGL: On the second takeoff attempt, the roll and initial climb were unremarkable until engine power decreased at 40-50 m, preventing further climb.
5. Left turn toward glider area: Given the forest to the east, the pilot chose to land on the airfield grounds and turned left near the RWY 23 threshold toward the glider operations area.
6. Left wingtip strikes ground in turn: During the left turn toward the glider area, the left wingtip touched the ground, which rotated the aircraft further to the left.
7. Fuselage buckled, slides 87 m sideways: The rear fuselage tube bent in front of the tail; the aircraft then slid about 87 m sideways across the glider area, coming to rest near a winch.
8. Aircraft destroyed near winch: The cockpit and rear fuselage were destroyed and the left wingtip, aileron and flap were torn off; the pilot was seriously injured. No technical defects were found.