Winch launch: steep pull from settle-back stalls Mosquito 303

A Glasflugel Mosquito was destroyed and the pilot fatally injured during a winch launch at Beilngries (Germany). After a normal ground roll the glider lifted off but did not climb, settling back onto the runway about 50 m past the liftoff point. The pilot then pulled aggressively on the elevator, the Mosquito lifted into a very steep climb attitude, stalled at about 20 m AGL, dropped off the left wing, and struck the airfield nearly vertically about 250 m from the launch point. The flight was the pilot's first winch launch on type, with overall experience of about 86 h.

1. Winch launch RWY 28 Beilngries: On 21 May 2013 a Glasflügel 303 Mosquito began a winch launch on RWY 28 at Beilngries. Surface wind was light from the west; witnesses described the ground roll as normal.
2. First winch on type, low total time: The accident flight was the pilot's first winch launch on the Mosquito; he had previously flown the type only a few times, by aerotow, about two years earlier.
3. Fails to climb, settles back: After lifting off, the Mosquito failed to gain height and settled back onto the runway 50 m past liftoff, likely after the pilot pushed hard on the elevator to avoid a steep pitch.
4. Aggressive pull into steep climb: Reacting to the unplanned touchdown the pilot likely pulled firmly on the elevator. The Mosquito lifted off again and assumed a very steep climb attitude while still under winch tension.
5. Stall at 20 m AGL, wing drop left: At about 20 m AGL the airflow over the wing separated. The Mosquito dropped over the left wing, losing control too close to the ground to recover.
6. Near-vertical impact; pilot fatal: The Mosquito struck the airfield nearly vertically about 250 m from the launch point. The cockpit was destroyed and the pilot fatally injured; no pre-existing defects were found.