PIK 20 D rigging: elevator unconnected; aerotow release and impact
On aerotow from Purkshof, the pilot of a PIK 20 D was seriously injured and the glider substantially damaged after a loss of pitch control just after lift-off. The pilot found the elevator unresponsive; as the towed climb steepened past ~30 m AGL the pilot released the rope. The glider entered a ~35° descent and impacted ~744 m past the RWY 22 threshold; airbrakes had been deployed and retracted just before impact. During rigging the pilot had finished assembly alone after his helpers left and forgot to connect the elevator linkage; no full-and-free control check was performed before launch.
- Aerotow launch, RWY 22: A PIK 20 D single-seat glider began an aerotow launch from RWY 22 of Purkshof airfield behind a Robin DR 400/180 R tug for a local flight.
- Pilot rigged alone after helpers left: The pilot began rigging with two helpers, who left after the wings were mounted, then continued alone and forgot to connect the elevator linkage.
- Full-and-free check skipped: No full-and-free check of the flight controls (Voll-und-frei-Prüfung) was performed with a helper before launch. The disconnected elevator linkage was not detected.
- No elevator response on aerotow: Shortly after lift-off the pilot noted the elevator was not responding to inputs. Witnesses saw the glider's pitch attitude increase progressively during the tow climb.
- Tow released at ~30 m AGL: At about 30 m AGL the pilot released the tow rope. Once free of the tug, the glider entered a steep descent at approximately 35° below the horizon.
- Brief airbrake use; impact attitude set: The pilot deployed the airbrakes during the descent and retracted them just before impact. Without elevator authority, the descent angle could not be arrested.
- Impact 744 m past threshold; pilot SI: The glider struck the ground about 744 m beyond the threshold, detaching the canopy and left gear door and sliding a further 60 m; the pilot was seriously injured, the glider badly damaged.