Club-Libelle right wingtip catches treetops in low, slow turn on wooded slope
A Club-Libelle pilot was fatally injured when the right wingtip caught treetops during a low, slow left turn seeking thermal lift along a wooded slope ~3 km east of Kirchzarten; destroyed. The pilot — 391 h total, 235 h on type — had winch-launched on his second flight of the day, released at ~400 m AGL and headed east at ~105 km/h. On reaching the slope he reduced speed below 80 km/h and started a left turn; the right wingtip struck 10 m treetops and the glider dropped almost vertically between trees. Total flight time ~2 min. The on-board ELT was off; the wreck was found 44 h later by SAR. No technical faults.
- Winch launch; 2nd flight of the day: The pilot's second flight of the day; winch launch at 12:38 from Kirchzarten, released at ~400 m AGL and headed east at ~105 km/h GS toward a wooded slope ~3 km away.
- Slow left turn against wooded slope: On reaching the slope the pilot reduced speed to below 80 km/h and started a left turn close to the wooded hillside to find thermal lift.
- Right wingtip catches 10 m treetops: During the low, slow left turn the right wingtip struck treetops (~10 m tall); a ~2 m wide, 15 m long swath on heading 310° led to the impact point.
- Near-vertical drop into forest: The glider dropped almost vertically between the trees on a steep hillside in the forest.
- Fatal head injury; delayed find: The pilot was trapped between the instrument panel and main spar, fatally injured; the ELT was switched off, and the wreck was found 44 h later by SAR helicopter. No technical faults.