Ballasted Discus force-lands after dropping low behind a microlight tug
The single-seat glider was heavily damaged in a forced landing after an aerotow behind a light microlight, without injury to the pilot. Ballasted for a competition-training camp, it was heavier than the tug, which lifted off first and climbed while the glider was still too slow, leaving it stuck low behind the tug. Neither pilot had announced the ballast on the radio, and the tug climbed on despite the pilot's calls. Expecting it to level off, he delayed releasing; when the cable slackened he let go, dropped about 30 m and, unable to reach the runway, landed in a ploughed field.
- Aerotow behind a light microlight: The ballasted single-seat glider was launched on aerotow behind a light microlight during a competition-training camp.
- Tug climbed while glider too slow: The microlight lifted off first and began climbing while the ballasted glider was still too slow to follow.
- Stuck low behind the tug: The glider settled into a low position below the tug and could not regain the tow position; neither pilot had announced the ballast on the radio.
- Released with the cable slack: Expecting the tug to level off, the pilot delayed; when the cable slackened he released at low height.
- Forced landing in a field: The glider dropped about 30 m nose-down; unable to reach the runway, the pilot landed straight ahead in a ploughed field and it was heavily damaged.