LS 6b aborts aerotow low, ground-loops and noses over on rollout
The pilot of an LS 6b was slightly injured and the glider substantially damaged in a ground-loop after an aborted aerotow at Elz. Just after lift-off he released the rope, believing something was wrong with the elevator; no defect was found. The glider touched down, ran about 10° left off the runway, and — to stop before the end at about 90 km/h — he deliberately ground-looped it right. The right wingtip dug in, the glider banked to ~45° and the nose struck the ground. It had 90 kg of water ballast aboard, not mentioned to the tug pilot. The facts-only report attributed no cause.
- Aerotow takeoff roll: An LS 6 b glider with 90 kg water ballast began an aerotow launch behind an HK 36 TTC on RWY 07, initially rolling on grass and then aligning on the asphalt.
- Suspected elevator issue: Immediately after liftoff, the glider pilot believed there was a problem with the elevator and decided to abort the tow at low height.
- Early rope release: The pilot released the tow rope about two seconds after becoming airborne at roughly 105 km/h and allowed the glider to touch down on the asphalt runway.
- Left veer and ringelpiez: After touchdown the glider veered about 10 degrees left off the runway; after rolling about 200 m at 90 km/h, the pilot deliberately ground-looped right to stop before the runway end.
- Wingtip and nose strike: During the rapid right turn the right wingtip struck the ground, the glider rolled to about 45° bank, pitched nose-down, and struck the ground, severely damaging the cockpit and fuselage.
- Crash - minor injury: The glider came to rest near the eastern end of the runway with substantial structural damage, and the pilot sustained minor injuries.