ASH 25 spins from a low thermal into a forest

An open-class ASH 25 spun into a forest from a low thermal, killing the front-seat pilot; the rear-seat pilot escaped with minor injuries and the glider was destroyed. Late in a long local flight the two were working scraps of lift close to the ground, at only about 100-150 m, when the pilot flying — who had never flown this type and had little recent practice — put the big two-seater into a spin. The rear pilot, rated on the type but flying relaxed, could not catch it in time; by the time control was regained the glider was at treetop height. The key factor was an uninstructed pilot with no time on this demanding open-class type.

1. Low thermalling near the Rossberg: Late in a long local flight, the ASH 25 was working weak thermals close to the terrain, at about 100-300 m above the ground.
2. Uninstructed pilot, none on type: The front-seat pilot was flying — with no checkout on the ASH 25 and no time on the type.
3. Spins in a low, weak thermal: In a weak thermal at about 100-150 m the glider was put into a spin.
4. Rear pilot can't recover in time: The rear-seat pilot, rated on the type, could not catch the spin before treetop height.
5. Steep spin into the forest: The ASH 25 spun steeply into the forest and was destroyed; the front pilot was killed, the rear pilot slightly hurt.