The tow plane and glider on tow had just lifted from the runway at the airport in Zephyrhills, Florida.
During takeoff the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power. The tow plane landed straight ahead on the runway.
The glider continued in flight until it reached the limit of the tow rope and was pulled suddenly to the runway. The glider’s nose was crushed and the empennage separated. The pilot was seriously injured.
Examination of both the tow plane and the glider revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies.
A post-accident operational check of the airplane’s engine revealed no anomalies, and the tow release mechanism on the glider functioned normally.
According to the FAA Glider Flying Handbook, “Upon losing sight of the towplane, the glider pilot must release immediately.” Further, “…if the towplane loses power after the glider is airborne, the glider pilot should pull the towline release, and land ahead…”
Probable Cause: The glider pilot’s failure to release from the towline after the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This January 2024 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.
Towing gliders is a “team sport”. Bad things happen when someone doesn’t know/follow the rules… or panics.
https://airfactsjournal.com/2018/03/no-way-to-become-an-ace/
The glider pilot should have released and landed straight ahead and off to the side of the tow plane (what every glider student pilot is taught). The tow plane pilot usually won’t release the tow rope in that situation ( very low altitude/speed) due to how it would adversely affect the glider. At least that is what I was taught as a glider pilot and tow pilot.
Best to use your Aircraft’s own power and train for loss of power on take off
No explanation for the loss of power in the above — the usual oblique superficial reporting job. For the tow plane pilot not releasing the tow rope aught to get his license revoked for outright incompetence and dereliction of duty. .
Regards/J
Loss of power is always a handful of common causes. The glider is the one that should have released, I imagine the tow pilot was focused on restarting.
It is 100% on the glider pilot, regardless of why the tow pilot aborted the takeoff.