SZD-55-1 elevator not engaged at rigging; pitch control lost on aerotow

The pilot of an SZD-55-1 was fatally injured on aerotow takeoff at Currock Hill (UK) and the glider was destroyed. The pilot had 18,800 hours total but only 39 on type and 1 hour in the previous 90 days, having spent two months fitting avionics. He rigged the wings with help, then completed the tailplane alone. A full-and-free check did not catch that the elevator rod had not engaged the elevator lever. On the takeoff roll the glider pitched up steeply; the tow released at about 30 m, the right wing dropped and the glider impacted nose-first. A historic unapproved tail mod increased mis-rigging risk; EASA mandated inspections.

1. Pre-flight rigging, tailplane alone: On the morning of the flight the pilot rigged the wings with help from club members, then completed the tailplane assembly alone with no witnesses to that step or to any post-rigging checks. This was his first flight after two months fitting new avionics on the glider.
2. Elevator rod not engaged with lever: During tailplane rigging the elevator control rod failed to engage the elevator lever; the tailplane appeared properly seated externally but the elevator was effectively disconnected from the stick.
3. Pre-flight check did not detect it: A full-and-free movement check at the launch point, conducted with the co-owner, did not detect the disengaged elevator linkage and the glider was accepted as airworthy.
4. Historic unapproved tail modification: AAIB found that a historic and unapproved modification to the glider's tail arrangement significantly increased the opportunity for the elevator to be mis-rigged without obvious visual cues. EASA subsequently mandated inspection of similar SZD-55-1 gliders.
5. Aerotow takeoff roll: The glider lined up at the end of the runway with the tow rope attached to the nose hook and began the takeoff roll behind the tug in light wind and CAVOK conditions.
6. Steep pitch-up, tow released: Shortly after becoming airborne, with no effective elevator authority, the glider pitched up rapidly above the tug; the tow rope released at about 30 m and the tug continued its takeoff.
7. Right wing drop, nose-first impact: The glider dropped its right wing and descended nose-first into the ground beside the strip, destroying the front fuselage; the pilot was fatally injured.