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; his recent flights in the prior 90 days had all been winch launches instead.
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 a steepening pitch attitude, then transitioned into a steep descent and struck the grass runway about 730 m beyond the takeoff threshold.
6. No technical/medical cause found: All controls functioned normally, mass and CG were within limits, and the tailplane attachment was properly secured. The autopsy found no contributing condition.
7. Fatal injuries; aircraft destroyed: The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the impact; the aircraft was destroyed on the grass runway 734 m past the threshold.