Ka 6 CR slow right turn at ~30 m; near-vertical impact

On 26 June 2010 the pilot of a Ka 6 CR died near Tigerfeld (Germany); the aircraft was destroyed. The glider had launched at 13:10 from Hayingen on aerotow for a joint cross-country toward Neresheim. After reaching Schlechtenfeld, the pair climbed back to about 700 m AGL and separated; the Ka 6 CR pilot announced an intention to return home. At about 14:20 a witness near Tigerfeld saw the glider tracking west at roughly double tree height. The glider changed heading at notably slow airspeed, entered a right turn, and from about 30 m height suddenly dropped off a wing and impacted the ground almost vertically.

1. Aerotow XC from Hayingen: At 13:10 LT the Ka 6 CR launches on aerotow from Hayingen for a joint cross-country toward Neresheim with a second glider that had launched about ten minutes earlier; the two stay in radio contact during the flight.
2. Return after weak thermals: After about an hour the pair reaches Schlechtenfeld at ~300 m AGL in moderate thermals, climbs back to ~700 m AGL, and separates; the Ka 6 CR pilot announces over radio an intention to return home.
3. Low altitude near Tigerfeld: At about 14:20 LT a ground witness near Tigerfeld sees the glider tracking west at roughly double tree height — a very low cruising altitude that leaves no margin for manoeuvre or recovery.
4. Slow right turn; wing drop at ~30 m: At this low height the glider changes heading at notably slow airspeed and enters a right turn. From about 30 m above the ground it suddenly drops off a wing and transitions into an almost vertical descent.
5. Near-vertical impact; no defects: The glider impacts a grass field about 700 m southeast of Tigerfeld and 127 m north of a wood. The nose buries about 25 cm into the ground, the fuselage breaks in multiple places, and the tail boom separates aft of the registration. The aircraft is destroyed and the pilot is fatally injured. Examination finds no technical defects or control restrictions.