I think you are right, more experience leads to complacencies
and you start doing things while your body gets on with the automatic
actions, just as you would in a car. I think it is a personal discipline
case where you follow the rule even though they feel a bit silly, like
using a mobile phone in the car. On 1 level you think you're quite capable
of doing the simple task like re -set the altimeter or radio, but in fact
if you do you're not really concentrating on the tow. On the other level you
know you were trained to leave everything until you finished the tow. Its a
discipline thing to stick to the rules.

Bingo.

It's that and more, IMO. *Arrogant* complacency ("Nothing could POSSibly go
wrong!") is a powerfully alluring combination when it comes to decision-making.

Add in 'simple thoughtlessness,' and some occasional compulsions to 'show
off,' and foolish behavior apparently becomes irresistible to many pilots.
It's a human-thing...but also entirely avoidable by active choice.

In this particular accident 'showing off' likely wasn't a factor, but that's
not my point here...

Bob W.

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