DG 600 emergency parachute descent after control issues near Oberpfaffenhofen
On September 23, 2007, a DG Flugzeugbau DG 600 experienced control difficulties shortly after a winch launch at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. Witnesses observed erratic flight movements, prompting the pilot to jettison the canopy and safely exit the aircraft using a parachute. The glider subsequently crashed onto a container garage, sustaining significant damage. The pilot was uninjured, and no third-party damage occurred. An investigation revealed potential misrigging of the elevator control, which was detectable during pre-flight checks.
- Winch launch climb: At about 12:05 local time the DG 600 began a winch launch from Oberpfaffenhofen, following preflight rigging and a reported control check.
- Abnormal pitch control: Immediately after cable release, the pilot experienced that the glider felt 'wachsweich' (very soft) in pitch control and normal handling was not possible.
- Mispositioned elevator linkage: Investigation showed the automatic elevator control connection could be assembled in a mispositioned way that allowed only restricted elevator control, a condition that should have been detectable during the control check.
- Unstable flight path: Witnesses observed pump-like, oscillating flight movements of the glider after winch cable release, indicating progressive loss of controlled flight.
- Pilot bailout: The pilot jettisoned the canopy and exited the glider, descending uninjured under his parachute.
- Crash - no injury: The unmanned glider crashed onto the roof of a container garage near the winch position and was heavily damaged, while the pilot remained uninjured.