Hornet student-pilot stall on low outlanding turn — late decision
After a winch launch from Huetten-Hotzenwald for a thermal flight, the student pilot of a Hornet was fatally injured and the glider destroyed. With 27 hours and no outlanding training, briefed to stay near the airfield, the student flew 20 km northeast, unbeknownst to the instructor who had only limited radio contact. On return with a 10 kt headwind he lost height but still searched for lift below 150 m AGL. Only below 100 m did he commit to outlanding near a golf course. He flew a steep left turn at 50-80 m AGL, stalled, and impacted nearly vertically on a road.
- Winch launch + local thermal task: Student pilot (16 yo, 27 h total, 21 starts on Hornet, no outlanding training) winch-launched at 12:52 from Hütten-Hotzenwald; briefed to stay near the airfield. Reached ~800 m AGL after ~30 min thermalling.
- Left local area unannounced: Contrary to brief, flew 20 km NE to the Urberg/Albstausee area. Instructor unaware of the distance.
- Headwind return, continuous height loss: Returned with 10 kt headwind; lost height steadily. One thermal save to ~300 m AGL near Hogschür, then continued descent.
- Still searching for lift below 150 m: At ~150 m AGL student radioed instructor but had not yet abandoned the airfield-return attempt; still tried to climb in lift.
- Late outlanding commit below 100 m: Only after dropping below ~100 m AGL did he commit to outlanding on a field near a golf course; high-voltage line ahead.
- Steep low left turn → stall: With tailwind, a steep left turn at 50-80 m AGL; airspeed dropped below minimum; loss of control.
- Vertical impact on road: Aircraft impacted nearly vertically on a road near the golf course. Aircraft destroyed; student fatally injured.