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: At 13:32 LT on 21 May 2013 a Glasflügel 303 Mosquito began a winch launch on RWY 28 of Sonderlandeplatz Beilngries (EDNC). Surface wind was light from the west (270–280° at 2–3 kt). Witnesses described the initial ground roll as normal.
2. First winch on type, low total time: BFU identified the pilot's limited overall experience and very limited experience on type as contributing factors. Total experience including training was about 86 hours over 244 launches; in the two years before the accident the pilot had flown about 27 hours over 46 launches, 19 of them on winch. The accident flight was the pilot's first winch launch on the Mosquito; previously he had flown the type only three times on aerotow, about two years earlier.
3. Fails to climb, settles back: After lifting off the Mosquito failed to gain height in the initial climb and settled back onto the runway about 50 m past the liftoff point. BFU's assessment was that the pilot likely pushed hard on the elevator to avoid a steep initial pitch attitude, leading to the unintended touchdown.
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 surface nearly vertically about 250 m from the launch point. The cockpit was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. The investigation found no evidence of pre-existing technical defects.