SZD-50-3 crash in Schönhagen after winch launch failure and spin
On August 28, 1999, an SZD-50-3 Puchacz crashed near Schönhagen following a winch launch failure. During the training flight, the glider experienced a reduction in winch pull, leading to a spin and subsequent impact in a pine forest. The 76-year-old student pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The investigation found that the emergency shut-off lever on the winch had been inadvertently moved, causing the power loss. No technical faults were found on the glider itself.
- Winch launch climb: During a training winch launch in Schönhagen, the Puchacz glider was climbing normally behind the winch.
- Inadvertent shutoff lever: The winch’s emergency engine shutoff lever had been unintentionally moved toward the 'off' position, with its wire lock open, making an uncommanded power reduction likely.
- Winch power reduction: At about 150 m height the winch engine power suddenly decreased despite the throttle remaining at full, causing the tow cable to slacken.
- Low altitude, student pilot: The 76-year-old student pilot with limited total experience was at only about 100–150 m AGL, leaving little height for error or recovery.
- No timely launch abort: Despite earlier indications of briefly reduced cable pull and the later marked loss of tension, the pilot did not initiate a start abort or promptly release the cable.
- Stall and spin: As the cable tension dropped the glider’s pitch attitude and speed were not sufficiently corrected, leading to an over‑pitch, stall, and spin to the left at about 100–150 m AGL.
- Crash - serious injury: After several spin turns, with the cable separating shortly before impact, the glider crashed into a nearby pine forest about 100 m from the runway, seriously injuring the pilot and destroying the aircraft.