Zugvogel III A elevator unconnected after interrupted rigging — control check missed
On aerotow takeoff from Guenzburg-Donauried, the pilot of a Zugvogel III A was fatally injured. During reassembly the previous day the elevator pushrod was never connected; the held-surface control check did not reveal the disconnection, and only a direct visual and manual inspection of the pushrod would have. At about 20-30 m AGL on RWY 06 the pilot released the rope; the glider climbed, rolled left, went near-inverted and impacted a field 70 m left of centerline.
- Reassembly previous day: Aircraft had been disassembled on 24 May. On 29 May the owner-pilot reassembled with two helpers; wings inserted and bolted, elevator placed on the fuselage.
- Elevator pushrod never connected: The pushrod was not attached to the control horn. Rigging was interrupted because a helper needed the pilot for his own aerotow that day; nobody returned to finish the elevator connection.
- Held-surface check doesn't catch it: The pre-launch held-surface control check (helper holds the surface, pilot pushes against it) tests linkage and limits but cannot detect a disconnected pushrod.
- Aerotow takeoff RW 06: Tecnam P92 Echo tow plane; takeoff at 11:29; both aircraft lifted off before the half-runway mark. Glider rose to slightly-to-noticeably high position vs the towplane.
- Early release at ~20-30 m AGL: Pilot commanded and executed tow release at 20-30 m AGL. Tow plane turned left to allow the glider a straight landing.
- Left wing drop, near-inverted: Glider climbed, started a left turn, then rolled left, went near-inverted and descended almost vertically.
- Field impact 70 m left of centerline: The aircraft struck a field about 150 m short of the runway and 70 m left of the centerline. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot fatally injured.