Discus bT continued low ridge flight in marginal lift — impact in field
After ridge soaring along the Wiehengebirge, the pilot of a Schempp-Hirth Discus bT was seriously injured and the aircraft destroyed. The glider had aerotowed from Melle-Groenegau at 08:46 and ridge-soared in a 300-550 m AMSL band. After turns at Schaumburg and back west, at 10:16 the pilot turned eastbound at about 285 m AMSL; the logger showed 3-4 m/s sink. The last signal at 10:17 was at 198 m AMSL, about 70 m AGL, 1.5 km west of the accident site. Another pilot in the area reported significant height loss in marginal lift. The pilot had no memory of the flight.
- Aerotow from Melle-Grönegau: Launched 08:46 by aerotow; released at ~950 m AMSL at 08:55.
- Ridge soaring Wiehengebirge: Worked the slope eastward in a 300-550 m AMSL band; turned at Schaumburg, then back westward.
- Marginal lift, turbulent low: Another pilot in the area reported significant height loss in the lower band and turbulent conditions.
- Continued low ridge flight: At 10:16 the pilot turned at ~285 m AMSL eastbound; logger recorded 3-4 m/s sink. The last logger signal at 10:17 was at 198 m AMSL (~70 m AGL), 1.5 km west of the accident site.
- Impact on field: Motor glider impacted a field; aircraft destroyed; 27-year-old pilot seriously injured. Pilot has no memory of the flight.