LS4 gear retracted on winch launch roll; hard impact after abort
On 13 June 2011 at Porta Westfalica (Germany), the pilot of a Rolladen-Schneider LS4 was lightly injured on a winch launch; the aircraft was substantially damaged. Some 40–50 m into the ground roll the pilot retracted the landing gear, contrary to the flight manual. The glider was towed ~23 m on its fuselage, then briefly lifted off. Seeing the retracted gear, the launch director called Halt-Stopp; the winch driver throttled to idle and braked the drum. In the climb transition the pilot saw airspeed dropping and pushed the nose down. From ~12 m, energy was insufficient for a flare; the glider hit hard and slid ~26 m.
- Winch launch ground roll: During a winch launch from grass RWY 23, the LS4 accelerated normally along the ground roll.
- Gear retracted during ground roll: After only 40–50 m of ground roll the pilot retracted the landing gear, contrary to the flight manual instruction to keep it extended during winch launch.
- Fuselage slides on ground: With the gear retracted, the glider was towed about 23 m sliding on its fuselage before briefly lifting off, producing a rattling noise perceived by the pilot.
- Launch aborted: Halt-Stopp: Observing the retracted gear, the launch director ordered 'Halt-Stopp'; the winch driver throttled to idle and braked the drum, removing tow energy during the initial climb.
- Pilot lowers nose to keep speed: In the transition into the full climb attitude the pilot noticed a rapid loss of airspeed and pushed the control stick forward to regain speed.
- Hard touchdown from ~12 m: At about 12 m height the remaining altitude and speed were insufficient for a glide and flare; the glider impacted the ground hard and slid roughly 26 m before stopping.
- Aircraft destroyed, pilot lightly injured: The glider sustained severe structural damage and the pilot received minor injuries; no third-party damage reported.