The pilot of the tow plane, a Piper PA-25-235 had already launched a series of gliders without incident just before the accident near Warner Springs, Calif.
Downwind departure operations were in effect due to wind conditions and the local topography. The glider pilot had been briefed on the departure procedures earlier in the day and had experience flying the departure.
For the accident flight, the glider was moved into position, and the glider pilot indicated his intentions via hand signals.
Shortly after takeoff, the glider moved out of position. The glider pilot made corrective control inputs as the flight progressed in the traffic pattern, however he was unable to establish positive control.
The glider violently yanked and pulled the tow plane into unusual attitudes throughout the departure, and a positive rate of climb could not be established.
The glider pilot continued to encounter control difficulties consistent with pilot-induced oscillations, and the tow line became slack as the glider gained on the tow plane.
The tow plane pilot thought the glider had released, and a few seconds later, as the line went taught, the tow plane was forced into an aerodynamic stall.
Both pilots simultaneously released the tow line, and, with minimal altitude remaining for recovery, the tow plane crashed in a field just beyond the runway, seriously injuring the pilot. The glider returned to the airport and landed without incident.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the glider pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the initial climb while being towed, which led to the tow plane’s unstable flight and its subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the tow pilot’s delayed release of the glider.
NTSB Identification: WPR14LA367
This September 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
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Had a similar experience -managed to release the towrope early. No damage to aircraft or pilots – just a $500 rope.
Were I the pilot once recovered from my injuries I would have some very “strong words” for that dumb*** glider pilot. No excuse for not disconnecting when the tow rope went slack at such a low altitude putting the tow pilot in extremis.
Kind of ironic that after getting into this situation, the plane without any thrust was able to recover and land, and the plane with enough thrust to fly two planes crashed into the field.
It is simple, the glider was designed to do just fine at those low speeds that it dragged the powered plane to. I would have disconnected the guy at the first sign of trouble, my life is more important to me and the other guy was the problem.
I agree Sarah, I would never hold it against a tow pilot that dumped me off if they didn’t like what was going on. I’ll get rid of the other end, you go left, I’ll go right and we will both go home. PP-ASEL needs one more letter added to his aeronautical alphabet and there would be no irony, a “G”.
SIERRA KILO