LS1-c hits trees while outlanding after getting high on aerotow

A glider pilot was seriously injured when an LS1-c struck trees while outlanding near a Bavarian gliding site; the glider was substantially damaged. On aerotow behind an ultralight tug, the glider climbed above the tug in the crosswind leg, lifting the tug's tail and slowing it; the rope was released at only about 50 m. The pilot then set up to outland but, crossing a small wood, met strong sink; the glider struck two spruce trees at about 90 km/h and dropped to the forest floor. He left the glider on his own, and the tug landed without difficulty. The facts-only report found the glider technically sound and stated no cause.

1. Aerotow behind an ultralight tug: An LS1-c took off on aerotow behind a TL 96 Sting ultralight at Lauf-Lillinghof for a local flight; the pilot was 78 and on only his second flight of the year on the type.
2. Glider climbs above the tug: In the crosswind leg the glider rose above the tug, lifting its tail and slowing it — a position that can endanger the tug.
3. Low release, about 50 m up: The tow rope came off at only about 50 m above the field; the glider and tug pilots each said that he had released.
4. Pilot sets up to outland: Too low to return to the airfield, the pilot decided to land off-field and had to overfly a small wood.
5. Strong sink over the wood: Over the trees the glider met strong sink and could not stay above them.
6. Strikes trees, drops to the ground: It hit two spruce tops at about 90 km/h and fell to the forest floor near Eckental; the pilot was seriously injured but climbed out, and the glider was substantially damaged.