On Thursday, May 8, 2014 7:00:00 AM UTC-6, JJ Sinclair wrote:
Well, we have plenty of opinions about what to do after the rope suddenly releases, lets take a quick check on how to keep the rope firmly attached until we decide to release it.

It is interesting how this discussion has become a data geek's exchange about the physics of a turn back. If the rope had stayed attached he would likely not have tried to turn back, if indeed that is what he tried to do. Apparently no one saw it.

I was always told a Superior pilot uses his superior judgment to keep himself out of situations where his superior piloting skill are needed. The superior judgment in this case would be to not use a back releasing tow hook for aero tow.

When you hooked up the rope, did the 'pull' feel normal? If it didn't take much of a pull, one of the springs in the over-center mechanism may have failed.

JJ, the "Zuni towhook" does not use an over center system. This one of the problems with it. Unlike the Tost hook the force to actuate it is proportional to the tow rope tension.

I am very interested in knowing if there is an obvious malfunction of any part of the tow release system, that was not caused by the actual crash.

Robert Mudd