ASW 15 overturns after striking the runway at twice the approach speed
After a wave flight at Broumov, the pilot of a Schleicher ASW 15 was seriously injured and the glider substantially damaged when it struck the runway at twice the approach speed. Descending into a turbulent circuit, the pilot increased speed and reported hitting his head on the canopy before the final turn. In that turn the speed rose to 169 km/h and he rolled out high, with the airbrakes probably used only briefly. At close to 190 km/h the glider struck the ground, bounced high, lost its tail and overturned. The head strike probably impaired his flying, though this could not be proven.
- Wave flight from Broumov: The pilot was aerotowed from Broumov behind an ultralight and soared in wave up to about 1,800 m AGL for about 80 minutes, then descended to join the left-hand circuit for RWY 14.
- Turbulence descending to circuit: Between the second and third turns the pilot met strong turbulence and the glider sank sharply; he decided to increase speed.
- Speed up to 169 km/h turning final: Before the final turn he reported hitting his head hard on the canopy in a jolt. Turning onto final, the recorded speed rose from 141 to 169 km/h in about 20 s; handbook approach speed 90–100 km/h.
- High and fast, brakes probably shut: He rolled out high, at about 200 m AGL; after a radio call the airbrakes seemed to open briefly, then closed, and a second call drew no reaction. 200 m before the threshold it was at 192 km/h.
- Hard impact and high bounce: The glider struck the ground about 192 m from the end of RWY 14 and bounced high. The second impact tore off the rudder and the rear fuselage with the tailplane.
- Overturned; pilot seriously injured: The glider overturned onto its back; fuselage and canopy were destroyed. The pilot was seriously injured and remembers nothing after the final turn.