Cable break on first ASK 23 B flight: surprise airbrake effect, hard landing

A student pilot was lightly injured in a hard landing in an ASK 23 B at Kirchzarten; the glider was substantially damaged. It was the student's first flight on type, with about 45 hours total. After a normal winch climb the cable broke at 120 to 150 m AGL. The student lowered the nose, turned 180 degrees, and chose to land on the cable retrieve strip after the instructor radioed it clear. At about 4 to 5 m AGL he deployed the airbrakes and was surprised by their effectiveness; the glider sank rapidly. He retracted them, but the ASK 23 B touched down hard several times and yawed about 90 degrees left on the last impact.

1. First winch on ASK 23 B from RWY 36: A student pilot began his first winch launch on the ASK 23 B from RWY 36 of Segelfluggelände Kirchzarten, having completed the type's theoretical conversion the day before.
2. Cable break at 120–150 m AGL: After a normal initial climb the winch cable broke at about 120–150 m above the ground, ending the launch.
3. 180° turn, lands on cable strip: The student leveled the glider and turned 180° back to the airfield; told both the cable retrieve strip and RWY 18 were clear, he chose to land on the retrieve strip.
4. Surprised by airbrake effect, sinks: On final at about 4–5 m AGL the student deployed the airbrakes, was surprised by their effectiveness, and the glider sank rapidly; he retracted them, but the sink rate stayed high.
5. Hard touchdowns, 90° left yaw: The ASK 23 B touched down hard several times on the cable retrieve strip. On the last impact it abruptly yawed about 90° to the left around the vertical axis before coming to rest.
6. Substantial damage; minor injury: The ASK 23 B came to rest about 75 m from the launch point with the fuselage and canopy structurally damaged; the student was lightly injured.