Ventus CM: outlanding with motor unstarted; spin-type impact
The pilot of a Ventus CM was fatally injured and the glider destroyed in a near-vertical, spin-type impact near Rangendingen during an outlanding on a competition triangle task. The triangle from Klippeneck via Villingen and Horb ran at 1,000–1,600 m AGL in weakening climbs; after the second turn-point no further climbing was recorded. With the sustainer extended and repeated start attempts failing (the fuel cock was closed), witnesses saw the glider enter a left turn at ~20 m AGL near the chosen field and depart in a spin-like left rotation, striking the ground nearly vertically. The final 30 s showed a height loss of ~285 m.
- Competition triangle from Klippeneck: A Ventus CM aerotow-launched from Klippeneck gliding site for a competition triangle task via Villingen and Horb.
- Climbs fade after 2nd turn-point: The task initially worked between about 1,000 and 1,600 m AGL, but no further climbing occurred after the second turn-point, and the pilot continued towards an outlanding near Haigerloch.
- Sustainer extended; engine not started: On approach to the field, witnesses saw the glider arrive from the south with the sustainer extended while the pilot tried to start it; the engine never ran (fuel cock closed, lines empty).
- Left turn at ~20 m AGL near field: Witnesses observed a left turn at about 20 m above ground over a wheat field as the glider was being set up for the outlanding.
- Spin-type departure; near-vertical: From the left turn the glider entered a spin-like left rotation and descended nearly vertically. The B-record showed a height loss of about 285 m during the last 30 seconds of the flight.
- Right wing + cockpit impact; pilot fatal: The glider struck a meadow, hitting the ground right wing and cockpit first; the cockpit penetrated ~30 cm into the soil and the left wing broke at the root. The pilot was fatally injured.