Ventus-3T loss of control after release on pilot's first flight on type
The pilot of a Ventus-3T was killed when the glider descended near-vertically into woods shortly after an aerotow release at Hahnweide; aircraft destroyed. A ~2280 h pilot from the manufacturer flew a factory ship on a demo day, new to the type and prepared only from the manual. After a routine ~580 m tow, the tug pilot felt the tail yaw markedly right just before release; no radio confirmation followed. The glider rolled right and steepened into a near-vertical descent; just above the treetops the pilot pulled up abruptly — extreme wing flex but no breakup — then dropped near-vertically into woods at ~70°. No defects or medical impairment.
- Aerotow climb to ~580 m: Ventus-3T (18 m, no water ballast, factory aircraft) launched by aerotow from Hahnweide rwy 31 (1000 m grass) for a local thermal flight. Light west wind, 4/8 Cu base ~4000 ft, 24 °C ground.
- First flight on type: The pilot had extensive cross-country and competition experience but no prior time on the Ventus-3T; he studied the flight manual but had no in-type familiarization flight.
- Loss of control at release: At the end of a routine tow at 580 m, the tug pilot felt the glider yaw the tug's tail sharply right before the rope released, with no radio confirmation of release.
- Steep right-turn descent: The glider rolled into a right turn that very quickly developed into a very steep nose-down attitude, held over several hundred metres of altitude.
- High-G pull-up above treetops: Just before reaching the treetops the pilot pulled up abruptly; multiple witnesses saw the wings bend extremely upward (very high G load) but no parts separated.
- Recurring steep descent: After the pull-up, the glider re-entered a very steep nose-down attitude and continued descending almost vertically.
- Near-vertical crash - fatal: Impact at ~70° into a wooded area 5.4 km south of Hahnweide. Aircraft destroyed; pilot sustained fatal injuries. Technical inspection found no defects; autopsy found no medical impairment.