ASK 13 student tree strike on home-field final despite divert advice
The student pilot of an ASK 13 was uninjured but the glider was severely damaged in a tree strike on short final at Betzdorf-Kirchen. After aerotow release from RWY 26 the student couldn't find usable lift and returned toward the airfield at low height. Despite the instructor's radio call to divert to a southern off-field landing area, the student continued the approach. Strong sink developed and the student flew the final at minimum airspeed; before the western runway end the right wing struck trees and the ASK 13 fell nose-down into vegetation, coming to rest suspended. The student had less than 4 hours and 10 launches of solo experience.
- Aerotow + solo training from RWY 26: The student pilot took a solo aerotow on an ASK 13 from RWY 26 at Betzdorf-Kirchen airfield for a local training flight.
- Very limited solo experience: The student had very limited solo experience — fewer than 4 solo hours and 10 solo launches in total — which constrained airspeed-and-energy management options near terrain.
- No lift; returns low toward airfield: After the aerotow release the student was unable to find usable thermals and turned back toward the airfield at low height — without the energy margin to fly the standard circuit.
- Instructor radios divert advice (south): The instructor on the ground, observing the low return, radioed instructions to divert south to an off-field landing area rather than press on to the home airfield.
- Student continues approach to home field: The student continued the approach toward the home airfield rather than diverting as advised, committing to a path that ran toward trees on short final.
- Strong sink; minimum airspeed on final: Strong sink developed on final and the student flew the final segment at only minimum airspeed, leaving no margin for turbulence or further sink near the trees.
- Right wing tree strike; hangs in trees: On short final before the western runway end the right wing struck trees and the ASK 13 fell nose-down into the vegetation, coming to rest suspended. The glider was severely damaged; the student was uninjured. Minor ground damage.