DG-100G low-altitude tow release; uncorrected nose-up, runway impact

A DG-100G Elan was destroyed and the pilot fatally injured in an aerotow takeoff accident at Purkshof (Germany). The tow rope separated from the glider at about 15-20 m AGL behind a Robin DR 400, likely after a pilot release. Instead of a pitch-down input the glider continued straight with a progressively steepening attitude and struck the grass runway about 730 m past the threshold. Investigators found no technical defects, no medical condition, and could not reproduce any rigging fault; the pilot had not flown an aerotow in over three months, with recent flights all by winch.

1. Aerotow takeoff behind Robin DR 400: At 12:05 the DG-100G launched on aerotow behind a Robin DR 400 from Purkshof RWY 04 for a planned cross-country flight; both aircraft became airborne and entered initial climb.
2. Tow rope separated at ~15-20 m: At about 15-20 m above ground the tow rope separated from the glider. BFU concluded the pilot most likely released the rope; no other technical explanation was found.
3. Low aerotow currency: The pilot had not flown an aerotow for more than three months (last on 1 May 2015, on a two-seater with an instructor). His recent 8 flights in the previous 90 days were all by winch on DG 100, DG 300 and a two-seater.
4. No effective pitch-down input: Witnesses observed no recognisable corrective input. The expected response after a low-altitude tow release — push the nose down and land straight ahead — did not occur.
5. Steepening pitch to ground impact: The glider continued straight ahead with progressively steepening pitch attitude. The flight path then transitioned into a steep descent that impacted the grass runway about 730 m beyond the takeoff threshold. BFU could not explain why no recovery input was made.
6. No technical/medical cause found: All controls functioned. The tailplane attachment was found bolted and secured. Mass and CG were within limits. The autopsy found no condition that could have initiated or contributed to the accident.
7. Pilot fatally injured; aircraft destroyed: The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the impact; the aircraft was destroyed on the grass runway 734 m past the threshold.