Air Accidents Investigation Branch
August 31
09:41
2023
Summary:
Shortly after an aerotow takeoff and during a noise abatement turn to the left, the glider released the tow at approximately 300 ft agl. The glider then pitched down rapidly and struck the ground in a nose low attitude at high speed. The pilot was ejected from the aircraft during the accident sequence and was found approximately 26 m from the aircraft. He sustained fatal injuries.
An on-site inspection of the aircraft revealed that the elevator was not connected to the elevator control rod. Two Safety Recommendations have been made; the first to mandate Positive Control Checks and the second to amend the Flight and Operations Manual to include relevant information on the limitations of pitch control using flaps.