El Blanik entra en pérdida en un viraje bajo tras un largado forzado por aerofrenos abiertos

El pasajero delantero de un Blanik L-13 resultó gravemente herido y el instructor ileso cuando el planeador entró en pérdida en viraje bajo; planeador destruido. En vuelo de iniciación, los aerofrenos, sin bloquear antes del remolque, se abrieron tras el despegue. El planeador no subía; las llamadas de radio del remolcador y de tierra pasaron inadvertidas en frecuencia saturada. Cerca de obstáculos, el remolcador lo soltó. En vez de aterrizar de frente en campos a la izquierda, el piloto viró a la derecha a baja altura; la velocidad cayó y el planeador entró en pérdida. Una carga delantera ~8 kg bajo el mínimo agravó la pérdida de velocidad.

1. Aerotow takeoff: During an aerotow departure from Courtelary, the Blanik began its initial climb behind the Robin towplane.
2. Airbrakes not locked: Because the pre-takeoff check of the airbrake locking was incomplete, the glider launched with the airbrakes not properly locked, leading to their inadvertent deployment shortly after liftoff.
3. Low front seat weight: The load on the front seat, including passenger and parachute, was about 8 kg below the prescribed minimum, adversely affecting handling at low speed.
4. Radio warnings missed: Multiple urgent radio calls from the tow pilot and ground personnel about the extended airbrakes were not recognized by the glider pilot due to a congested frequency and his focus on the poor climb.
5. Towplane releases glider: Approaching Cortebert with obstacles ahead and unable to climb adequately with the glider’s airbrakes extended, the tow pilot performed an emergency release of the glider.
6. Low-altitude turn stall: After release, the glider pilot initiated a right 180-degree turn at low height, during which airspeed decayed rapidly and the glider stalled instead of landing straight ahead in available fields.
7. Crash - serious injury: The stalled glider descended into a field near Cortebert, seriously injuring the front-seat passenger, leaving the pilot uninjured, and destroying the aircraft.