LS 4-b hits trees after a misjudged circuit following a cable break

The pilot of an LS 4-b was seriously injured when the glider flew into trees near Klippeneck after a winch cable break; the glider was substantially damaged. The cable broke at about 150 m — enough height for an abbreviated circuit — and the pilot set up a shortened right-hand pattern. But rusty on the type, he misjudged speed, glide path and height: he sank to treetop level in the downwind, brushed the trees, and struck one while turning onto final, coming to rest in a spruce. The investigation blamed the pilot's misjudged obstacle clearance and loss of flight-path control, citing his below-average experience and poor early-season currency.

1. Winch launch, pilot low on currency: An LS 4-b began a winch launch at Klippeneck for a planned circuit; the pilot was lightly current and had not flown the type in more than 18 months.
2. Cable breaks at ~150 m: The winch launch was normal until the cable broke at about 150 m above the ground; the pilot pushed the nose down and re-released.
3. Misjudged shortened right circuit: He set up a shortened right-hand circuit but, rusty on the type, misjudged his speed, glide path and height reserve.
4. Sinks into the trees in downwind: In the downwind the glider sank quickly to treetop level and brushed the trees; a pull-up and attempt to land normally did not succeed.
5. Strikes a tree; ends in a spruce: While turning onto final the glider struck a tree and came to rest in a roughly 10 m spruce beside a campsite; the pilot was seriously injured and the glider substantially damaged.