ASH 26 E lands in rough terrain after a loss of climb on self-launch

The pilot of an ASH 26 E was uninjured, but the glider was substantially damaged, when it came down in rough terrain beside a taxiway at Heber while he was practising takeoffs and landings. On the second self-launch the glider reached only about half the climb rate of the first and stopped climbing at roughly 46 m above the ground. Judging that too little runway remained ahead, the pilot began a descending 180° turn to the left; his height and a weather station tower ruled out completing it, and he touched down to the right of the taxiway. Why the takeoff performance fell away could not be determined.

1. Second self-launch of the day: After one takeoff and landing, the pilot deployed the engine mast, restarted the engine and began a second self-launch.
2. Climb rate halves after lift-off: The glider climbed at about half the rate of the first launch and stopped climbing at roughly 46 m above the ground.
3. Pilot turns back at about 46 m: Judging that too little runway remained ahead, the pilot began a descending 180° turn to the left.
4. Touchdown in rough terrain: His height and a weather station tower ruled out completing the turn; the glider touched down right of the taxiway and was substantially damaged. The pilot was uninjured.