Accidente fatal de un Kestrel durante intento de aterrizaje en campo cerca de Hoffenheim

El 20 de mayo de 2002, un Glasflügel Kestrel estuvo involucrado en un accidente fatal cerca de Hoffenheim, Alemania. El piloto intentó un aterrizaje en campo después de darse cuenta de que la altitud era insuficiente para llegar al aeródromo de Sinsheim. Durante el intento de aterrizaje en un campo, la punta del ala izquierda golpeó el suelo, causando que el planeador volcara. El piloto resultó fatalmente herido y la aeronave fue destruida. La investigación no encontró defectos técnicos en la aeronave.

1. 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.
2. Insufficient final altitude: Approaching the Sinsheim area, the glider was at low height such that reaching the Sinsheim airfield was not possible.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Crash - fatal: The glider overturned violently, destroying the cockpit area and airframe, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries in the outlanding accident.