Julia Kucherenko <<sin8sin>>
writes:

Most people are convinced that the reason for my crash was coming
off the cart too early. That is not quite right. I’ll try to describe my guess
at what happened:

1. Low angle of attack – glider got “stuck” to the cart

Angle of attack. We all know, that we should check it before we launch. So do I
and I always put keel support in the lowest position possible. But my Combat 12
has a smaller airframe compare to other gliders and often even lowest position
is not enough. I got used to it, and almost every second launch I had to “push
out” basebar to get off the cart, when I feel that I am traveling with enough
speed but the glider is still not flying. I thought this was normal.

2. Cross tail wind with combination of uneven ground – bouncy run.

There was cross-tail wind and uneven ground to make dolly roll faster and
bounce, kicking my keel up. That’s why I got the feeling of a glider flying
“tail up”. So at a certain point, when I felt enough speed and even saw the
Dragonfly come off the ground in front of me I tried to push out. The basebar
left the basebar cradle on the cart, but apparently my tail didn’t leave its
support. It got stuck in the cart keel support (I don't use a tail). For a
second or two I kept flying straight, trying to push out without any success,
and then suddenly felt a strong push down on my nose that smashed me into the
ground.

3. Too much VG on

4. Tug prop downwash

I crashed right between two red cones, indicating where the tug stops when the
rope is tight and then starts when the pilot is ready. Maybe I was in the prop
downwash which nailed me down. Maybe I simply got a kick up to my keel that made
a same effect. Keel tube had multiple dents and paint marks, which could
indicate that at the moment of the crash my keel was still on the keel support
on the cart.

Evidence:

1. Multiple paint scratches and dents on my keel tube.

2. Feeling that the “basebar was stuck to the cart.”

3. Feeling that a glider is flying “tail up” and no matter how hard I’m pushing
out – it didn't want to go higher. Even after I got rid of the cart at the base
tube.

4. Strong nose down push in the end, while I was pushing out.

Glider has broken keel, front wires, LE, upright, ripped sail in several places
– the impact was pretty strong. I scratched my face and had cosmetic surgery
inside my mouth. All the rest is fine. Thanks to people, who helped me after the
crash.

It would be nice if the carts where constructed to allow the pilot put the keel
support even lower for small glider.