Fatal Towplane Accident 5-9-20

On Monday, May 11, 2020 at 6:39:07 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Monday, May 11, 2020 at 4:59:11 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Monday, May 11, 2020 at 2:28:15 PM UTC-4, john firth wrote:
On Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 10:57:01 AM UTC-4, Paul Agnew wrote:
Very sad to read this tragic news this morning.

http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2020/0...fatal.html?m=1

Comments (anonymous) on the webpage indicate kiting may have been a significant factor.

Sincere condolences to the family of the tow pilot and to the members of the club.

Paul Agnew
Jupiter, FL

It might be interesting to get the statistics from Oz where low tow
is standard. ( anywhere else with low tow)
John F

Valley Soaring Club in NY uses low tow.
About 70,000 towns by club and preceding commercial operation with no upsets.
That said, it could happen tomorrow.
I do believe upset is less likely in low tow however.
UH

How about making the rope longer?

I would immediately put an electrical actuator on the release cable. The actuator (either solenoid or linear actuator) would have a pull of 200 lbs or more. The electric actuator could be in parallel with the existing manual lever so that either could release the tow rope. A release switch would be put on the stick, just like helicopters. Ultimately the electric release could be automatically actuated by an attitude sensor.

Tom