Absturz einer SZD-50-3 in Schönhagen nach Windenstartversagen und Trudeln
Am 28. August 1999 stürzte eine SZD-50-3 Puchacz in der Nähe von Schönhagen ab, nachdem es zu einem Windenstartversagen kam. Während des Schulungsflugs erlebte das Segelflugzeug eine Reduzierung der Windenzugkraft, was zu einem Trudeln und anschließendem Aufprall in einem Kiefernwald führte. Der 76-jährige Flugschüler wurde schwer verletzt, und das Flugzeug wurde zerstört. Die Untersuchung ergab, dass der Notausschalter der Winde versehentlich betätigt wurde, was den Leistungsverlust verursachte. Am Segelflugzeug selbst wurden keine technischen Mängel festgestellt.
- 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.