Silent 2 Electro stalls on steep self-launch climb — uncorrected aft stick input

Wormingford, United Kingdom Alisport Silent 2 Electro

A Silent 2 Electro crashed on its second self-launch of the day from Wormingford RWY 09; the glider was destroyed and the pilot seriously injured. About 12 s into the takeoff roll the propeller struck the runway. After liftoff the glider climbed shallowly then pitched steeply to ~30 m AGL on an uncorrected aft stick input; airspeed decayed to ~55 km/h. It stalled, rolled left ~90-180° and struck the ground nose-first 230 m NE of liftoff. AAIB cited the uncorrected aft stick input, with the type's light stick forces and poor stall warning contributing.

  1. Self-launch from Wormingford RW09: Pilot's second self-launch of the day; aircraft is an electric self-launching ultralight glider (FES motor). Previous launch ~2 hours earlier.
  2. Propeller strike on takeoff roll: ~12 s into the takeoff roll the propeller struck the runway, leaving 11 slash marks. No mechanical damage to flight controls found in subsequent inspection.
  3. Light stick, poor stall warning: AAIB notes the Silent 2 Electro has low stick forces with low sensory feedback and poor stall warning indications, making the outcome more likely.
  4. Uncorrected aft stick after liftoff: After liftoff the glider climbed shallowly, then the nose pitched up into a steep climb to ~100 ft AGL — most likely from an excessive aft stick input that was not corrected. AAIB notes likely distraction/workload/stress as factors.
  5. Stall at ~100 ft AGL: Airspeed decayed to about 30 KTAS at the climb peak; the glider stalled.
  6. Incipient left roll/spin: The glider rolled left through about 90 to 180° around the vertical axis.
  7. Nose-first impact 230 m NE of liftoff: Aircraft struck the ground nose-first 230 m northeast of the liftoff point; aircraft destroyed; 71-year-old pilot seriously injured (initially life-threatening). BGA issued a Safety Briefing.
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