BEA - Office of Investigations and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety of the French Republic

09/08/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/08/2023 02:35

Accident to the Robin DR400 registered D-EWLA on 25/06/2023 at Lienz

Accident to the Robin DR400 registered D-EWLA on 25/06/2023 at Lienz

Opening of the glider canopy, high passage of the glider, collision of the tow aircraft with the ground

Austria - AAIB

Preliminary data based on the notification from the Austrian authorities:

During Aero Tow the canopy of the glider Duo Discus opened at low height. While the pilots tried to close the canopy the glider climbed and lifted the towplanes tail. Tow rope ripped at glider side. Max. height of glider was approx. 80 meters AGL. Tow planes crashed and burned completely-Pilot died. Glider landed safely.

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General information
Local date 25/06/2023
Responsible entity Austria - AAIB
Scope of Investigation Full (Annex 13) type investigation
State or area of occurrence Europe and North Atlantic - Austria
Location Lienz Nikolsdorf AD
Human consequences Fatal
Number of death 1
Aircraft consequences Destroyed
Occurrence class Accident
File number BEA2023-0255
Flight Information
Aircraft category Fixed Wing - Aeroplane - Small Aeroplane - Small Aeroplane
Operator Austria (Segelfliegergruppe Lienz)
Manufacturer / Model ROBIN - DR400
Aircraft Registration D-EWLA
State of registry Germany
Last departure point Austria - LOKL : Lienz-Nikolsdorf
Planned destination Austria - LOKL : Lienz-Nikolsdorf
Flight phase
Serial number 2447
Operator Type AG
Operation Type Specialised Operations (Aerial Work) - Towing

BEA is the French air safety investigation authority for civil aviation. The sole objective of the investigation is to improve air safety. It is intended neither to apportion blame nor to assess responsiblity.