DG-1000T crash during approach at Hamburg Boberg results in serious injuries
On April 4, 2009, a DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000T crashed during the approach phase at Hamburg Boberg airfield. The glider, with a pilot and a student on board, experienced a stall while executing a shallow turn at low altitude. Both occupants sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed. The investigation found no technical faults with the aircraft, and weather conditions were favorable for visual flight. The incident was attributed to the glider entering a stalled condition during the final approach.
- Winch launch circuit: After a winch launch to about 440 m, the DG-1000T flew a local circuit in the southwest pattern area with height steadily decreasing.
- Height lost in circles: The pilot flew additional circles in the southwest pattern area, reducing altitude to about 200 m and then further while still about 1 km southwest of the launch point.
- Low approach altitude: By the time the aircraft reached the position for joining the final approach, altitude had decreased to around 100–125 m, requiring a shortened landing pattern.
- Slow, slipping turn: From roughly 100 m height the pilot initiated a shallow, slipping left turn toward final approach at noticeably low airspeed.
- Stall in turn: During the shallow left turn at low speed the glider exceeded its critical angle of attack, stalled, and abruptly dropped out of the turn.
- Crash - serious injury: The glider impacted a fallow field just east of the airfield with a steep nose-down attitude, seriously injuring both occupants and destroying the aircraft.