El ASW 20 L pierde el control en lanzamiento con cabrestante por incapacitación cardíaca

El piloto de un ASW 20 L resultó fatalmente herido tras una pérdida de control en el ascenso con cabrestante en Ambri; el planeador quedó destruido. Tras una transición normal, el planeador ascendió en viraje a la izquierda hasta unos 50 m AGL y siguió girando sin reacción a los mandos; al reducir el cabrestante la potencia, cayó casi verticalmente junto a la pista. La causa probable fue una incapacitación por un evento cardíaco súbito: el piloto padecía una grave enfermedad coronaria preexistente con un infarto previo y probablemente estaba inconsciente antes del impacto, aunque poco antes había sido declarado apto para volar.

1. Winch launch climb: During a winch launch from Ambri military airfield, the ASW 20L transitioned from ground roll into the initial climb normally.
2. Onset of medical event: Shortly after liftoff, the pilot likely suffered an incapacitating cardiac event during the winch launch climb, impairing his ability to control the glider.
3. Pre-existing heart disease: The pilot had severe coronary artery disease with evidence of a prior myocardial infarction and prior hospitalisation for coronary problems, creating a high risk of sudden incapacitation.
4. No control inputs: As the glider climbed in a left turn to about 50 m AGL, no pilot control reactions were observed despite the increasing deviation from the normal winch launch trajectory.
5. Loss of control descent: After the winch driver reduced power, the glider continued its left turn without apparent control and entered an almost vertical, uncontrolled descent toward the ground.
6. Crash - fatal: The glider impacted the grass area beside the paved runway nearly vertically, was destroyed, and the pilot, likely already incapacitated or dead before impact, sustained fatal injuries.