Kestrel fatal accident during outlanding attempt near Hoffenheim
On May 20, 2002, a Glasflügel Kestrel was involved in a fatal accident near Hoffenheim, Germany. The pilot attempted an outlanding after realizing the altitude was insufficient to reach the Sinsheim airfield. During the landing attempt on a field, the left wingtip struck the ground, causing the glider to overturn. The pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The investigation found no technical defects with the aircraft.
- Cruise toward Sinsheim: After an aerotow launch from Bensheim to about 1600 m MSL, the pilot cruised toward Sinsheim on the return leg of the cross-country task.
- Insufficient final altitude: Approaching the Sinsheim area, the glider was at low height such that reaching the Sinsheim airfield was not possible.
- Late outlanding decision: Only when close to the built-up area of Hoffenheim did the pilot decide to perform an outlanding on a nearby field instead of continuing toward Sinsheim.
- Low-altitude turn to field: Shortly before the village, the pilot initiated a left turn, apparently intending to complete a landing pattern or an umkehrkurve onto an agricultural field without a proper landing circuit.
- Wingtip ground contact: During the low-altitude left turn over the field, the left wingtip struck the ground, and the braking parachute was not deployed.
- Crash - fatal: The glider overturned violently, destroying the cockpit area and airframe, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries in the outlanding accident.