Janus C releases tow after tug's low slow 180°, lands in wheat
Both occupants of a Janus C were lightly injured on an emergency outlanding in a wheat field near Courtelary (Switzerland); the aircraft was substantially damaged. The pilot had 267 hours total with 34 on type. After a normal liftoff from RWY 24 behind an MCR tug, both aircraft showed a low rate of climb in the local aerological conditions. The tug initiated a 180 degree turn at low speed and low height; the glider pilot released the rope during the manoeuvre and landed in a nearby wheat field, damaging fuselage, empennage, left wing and canopy. The tug's low, slow turnaround in poor climb conditions drove the early release.
- Aerotow RWY 24 13:45 LT (MCR tug): At 13:45 LT on 11 July 2015 the Janus C launched on aerotow from RWY 24 at Courtelary (elevation 725 m AMSL) behind an MCR tug (HB-WAK).
- Low climb rate, local conditions: After a normal liftoff both the tug and the glider showed a low rate of climb, attributed in the report to local aerological conditions over the airfield.
- Tug enters low slow 180° turn: Still at low altitude the tug initiated a 180° turn at low speed and low height.
- Glider releases on tow turn: During the tug's manoeuvre the glider pilot decided to release the tow rope rather than follow through the low, slow turn.
- Outlanding in wheat field: Immediately after release the pilot committed to an outlanding and put the glider down in a nearby wheat field.
- Fuselage, wing, tail damaged: The glider sustained damage to the fuselage, the empennage, the left wing and the canopy. Both occupants were lightly injured.