PIK-20D stalls and spins after the pilot releases the winch cable low

The pilot was seriously injured and the glider destroyed when it stalled and spun into a field beside the runway shortly after a winch launch. Just after lift-off the pilot sensed the airspeed falling and the right wing dropping, released the cable low to land ahead on the runway, and pushed to regain speed against full left aileron. The angle of attack stayed too high all the same: the airflow separated over the right wing and the glider spun to the ground. The club-built winch delivered the required power and speed and the launch looked normal to the winch driver. The pilot had about 126 flying hours, six on the type.

1. Winch launch: The glider was launched by winch at Altlichtenwarth for a thermal flight, an earlier launch having been deferred because the thermals were still weak.
2. Six hours on the type: The pilot held about 126 flying hours in total but only about six on the PIK-20D, and had not flown at all in the previous 30 days.
3. Airspeed felt to fall away: Shortly after lift-off the pilot sensed the airspeed dropping and the right wing beginning to go down.
4. Cable released at low height: The pilot broke off the launch and released the winch cable low, intending to land on the remaining runway.
5. Angle of attack stayed too high: The pilot held full left aileron against the wing drop and pushed the stick forward, but the glider entered an overstalled state all the same.
6. Stall and spin over the right wing: The airflow separated over the right wing and the glider entered a spin.
7. Impact in a field beside the runway: The glider came down in an arable field to the left of the runway and was destroyed. The pilot was seriously injured.