LAK-17A drops a wing into a spiral dive low over a ridge in strong wind

A pilot was fatally injured when a LAK-17A dropped over its right wing into a spiral dive and hit the ground almost vertically near Hornberg on a competition task; the glider was destroyed. The weather-delayed, shortened task was flown in a strong, gusty north-east wind — a warning had been issued for gusts to 55 km/h, strengthened along the ridge. On the last leg it flew about eight kilometres straight without climbing, arriving low over the north-west slope of Hornberg at 30-60 m. Flying north, it turned right, dropped a wing and spiralled into a meadow some 540 m from the runway. Of 71 starters, 40 outlanded or used their engine that day.

1. Competition task in strong wind: A LAK-17A was on the fourth competition task from Hahnweide, flown in a strong, gusty north-east wind for which a gust warning to 55 km/h had been issued.
2. Weak, torn lift; arrives low: Thermals were weak and torn by the strong wind; on the last leg the glider flew about eight kilometres straight with no height gain.
3. Low over the NW slope, 30-60 m: It arrived low over the north-west slope of Hornberg airfield at 30-60 m above the ground, on a northerly course.
4. Turns right, drops a wing: It turned to the right and dropped over the right wing.
5. Spiral dive: The glider entered a spiral dive.
6. Near-vertical impact: It struck a meadow about 540 m north-west of the runway 17 threshold almost vertically, on the right winglet and nose; the pilot was fatally injured and the glider destroyed.