Discus bT gear does not lock in an outlanding after sustainer power loss
A Discus bT self-sustainer came down hard on its fuselage in an outlanding and the pilot was seriously injured. After an aerotow the pilot worked ridge lift in a strong westerly. With the departure airfield still reachable on a glide, he started the retractable engine for the return leg; it ran unevenly at reduced power and the extended engine added drag. The glider then met sink of 3 to 4 m/s, putting the airfield and a known field out of reach, and the pilot committed to a sloping meadow. The gear was selected so late that it did not lock. A teardown found the front carburettor inlet valve leaking.
- Ridge soaring in a strong westerly: After an aerotow the pilot worked hill lift in a westerly of 28 to 37 km/h, gaining height in three separate climbs.
- Engine chosen for the return leg: With the airfield and a known outlanding field both still within reach, the pilot decided to use the engine for the return rather than glide back.
- Sustainer runs rough at low power: The engine started but ran unevenly with noticeably reduced power. Switching on the electric fuel pump made no difference.
- Glider meets 3 to 4 m/s of sink: Shortly after the engine was deployed the glider flew into strong sink. Both the airfield and the known field went out of reach.
- Sloping meadow chosen: The pilot picked a farm meadow beside a road, the only landing ground left, and shut the engine down turning final.
- Gear does not lock: The gear was selected so late that it never locked, and the touchdown drove it back into the fuselage.
- Hard landing on the fuselage: The glider struck the sloping ground hard on its belly, breaking the fuselage shell and seat pan and cracking the canopy.