Mini Nimbus catches wing in downwind outlanding
The pilot of a Schempp-Hirth Mini Nimbus was fatally injured after an outlanding attempt near Bad Tölz; aircraft destroyed. The cross-country flight, launched by aerotow from Königsdorf, lost thermal contact on the return leg, and an outlanding was set up into a meadow with a tailwind component from 050° at 15 km/h. From ~80 m AGL a late heading change was attempted close to the ground; the left wing contacted the ground, the glider yawed sharply about the vertical axis and struck nose-first. No technical defects were found; the investigation was closed as a facts-only report with no probable cause attributed.
- Cross-country return to Königsdorf: A Mini Nimbus had departed Königsdorf for a cross-country flight near Penzberg/Bad Tölz; after a southbound leg found no thermals, the pilot turned back north in good visual conditions.
- Outlanding field with tailwind: From low height the pilot chose a meadow west of the flight path for outlanding; the ~260 m field was bordered by hedges and trees, sloped downhill, with a direct tailwind on touchdown.
- Late heading change near the ground: Close to the ground the pilot attempted a directional change in the round-out. The left wing contacted the ground during the manoeuvre and the glider yawed abruptly about its vertical axis.
- Nose-first impact and reversal: While rotating, the Mini Nimbus struck the ground hard nose-first and came to rest facing opposite the approach direction; the cockpit was destroyed. No technical defects were found.
- Pilot fatally injured; glider destroyed: The pilot was recovered with severe injuries and died in hospital. The Mini Nimbus was destroyed.