Duo Discus XLT stalls and spins in on approach while nursing a rough sustainer engine

The pilot of a Duo Discus XLT self-launcher was fatally injured when it spun into a field from about 100 m on approach to Celle-Scheuen; the glider was destroyed. Returning from a cross-country, he deployed the sustainer at about 250 m and flew the downwind for runway 27, but it ran roughly and kept sinking. At 113-115 km/h — too fast for the engine, which throttles back automatically and cannot climb — he flew on past the field rather than land, then rolled into a steep right turn back toward it; the wing stalled and it spun in too low to recover. Low experience on the type and its engine and not holding the best climb speed contributed.

1. Sustainer out, into the circuit: Returning from a cross-country, the pilot of a Duo Discus XLT extended the retractable sustainer engine at about 250 m near Celle-Scheuen and entered the downwind for runway 27.
2. Engine runs rough, glider sinks: The engine ran irregularly and the glider descended continuously through the circuit as he kept trying to keep it running.
3. Too fast to climb, presses on: Flying at 113-115 km/h — above the speed at which the auto-throttled engine can still climb — he continued past the field instead of landing.
4. Steep right turn back toward field: Abeam the launch point at about 100 m he rolled into a steep right turn to swing back toward the field.
5. Wing stalls in the turn: The airflow over the wing stalled in the turn and the glider entered a spin-like rotation.
6. Spins in from about 100 m: Too low to recover, the glider spun in and struck a cornfield at a steep angle; the pilot was fatally injured and the glider destroyed.