ASW 28-18E with extended engine hits power line on outlanding

The pilot of an ASW 28-18E was seriously injured on an outlanding near Wagenbühl and the glider was destroyed. After an aerotow from Agathazell and fading thermals, he dropped ballast and ran the sustainer engine for about 10 minutes at Leutkirch and 15 minutes near Blender without escaping the area, then chose to outland. After he shut the engine down the propeller could not be fixed and the engine would not retract — the propeller stopper's Bowden cable had slipped its clamp. With the engine still extended the glider overflew a power line on approach, struck it and fell to the ground; the protruding engine drove the contact with the line.

1. Aerotow XC from Agathazell ~12 LT: At about 12:00 LT on 31 May 2014 the pilot launched an ASW 28-18E (Solo 2350 sustainer engine, 18 m span) on aerotow from Flugplatz Agathazell for a cross-country flight. He held a glider licence (PPL/GPL) with about 150 hours total and 28 hours over nine flights on this type, with four flights in the prior 90 days. Wind was very gusty at 15-20 kt; CAVOK.
2. Thermals fade; two engine runs: On the way the thermal conditions deteriorated. Near Biberach the pilot jettisoned his water ballast. He then ran the sustainer engine for about ten minutes near Leutkirch and, after continuing soaring into the Blender region, for a further fifteen minutes — but could not escape the Blender area.
3. Propeller won't fix; engine stuck: After shutting the engine down the pilot was unable to fix the propeller in the vertical stowed position; consequently the sustainer could not be retracted. Post-accident examination showed the propeller stopper's Bowden cable had slipped out of its clamp and was not functional.
4. Decision to outland: With the engine extended and unable to leave the area, the pilot committed to an outlanding in a field he had selected near Wagenbühl.
5. Hits 8 m power line on approach: On the approach to the field, just north of Wagenbühl along the road to Maser, the glider had to overfly a power line with mast height 8.2 m running parallel to the road. The glider struck the line.
6. Falls to ground beside line: After contact with the power line the glider fell to the ground west of the line. The wreckage came to rest on its left side with the fuselage twisted, both wings separated, the horizontal stabiliser torn off and the engine still extended. The cockpit area was only lightly damaged; no fire. The pilot was seriously injured and exited the aircraft on his own.