Duo Discus T drops onto the runway after a low winch-cable release

Both occupants of a Duo Discus T were injured when it dropped onto the runway from a low winch launch at Jena-Schöngleina after the tow cable released; the glider was substantially damaged. The launch — the pilot's first that day and the glider's first winch launch there — began normally, but the glider climbed only at a shallow angle to an estimated 10–15 m in a gusty crosswind before the cable let go. The nose dropped and the glider struck the ground hard on its nose and left wing, sliding about 68 m. The investigation found no technical fault in the glider or the winch and did not state a cause.

1. Winch launch in a gusty crosswind: A Duo Discus T began a winch launch at a club summer camp — the pilot's first of the day — in a gusty crosswind from about 40 degrees.
2. Shallow climb to only 10–15 m: After a normal ground roll and lift-off, the glider climbed only at a shallow angle to an estimated 10 to 15 m, lower and flatter than a normal winch climb.
3. Tow cable releases at low height: At that height the tow cable released — the cable parachute inflated and the rope fell away; the ring pair was later found unhooked.
4. Nose drops from too low to recover: With so little height, the nose pitched down and the glider lost height rapidly, unable to arrest the descent before the ground.
5. Hard landing; both occupants injured: The glider struck the runway hard on its nose and left wing and slid about 68 m; both occupants were injured and the glider substantially damaged. No technical fault was found.