Fatal Towplane Accident 5-9-20

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 11:05:55 AM UTC-7, Ramy wrote:
Both the tow pilot and the glider pilot where very experienced. The glider pilot is also an instructor. The scout had a retractable tow rope with a guillotine release. It happened so quickly I doubt the tow pilot had any time to react and recover. This is just my opinion not official statement of course. I wasn’t at Byron that day. We will need to wait for at least the preliminary NTSB reports but we will make sure to cooperate with the NTSB investigator.
This is a tragic loss and we at NCSA are still in shock. Yet this is unfortunately not uncommon. Please keep in mind that these sorts of accidents have additional victim, the glider pilot who have to live with it. We are all human and prone to distraction no matter how experienced and trained we are. No one knowingly or purposely kite their glider.

Ramy

Did the glider have a flight data logger? If so, has the flight log been examined?

Tom

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 11:05:55 AM UTC-7, Ramy wrote:
Both the tow pilot and the glider pilot where very experienced. The glider pilot is also an instructor. The scout had a retractable tow rope with a guillotine release. It happened so quickly I doubt the tow pilot had any time to react and recover. This is just my opinion not official statement of course. I wasn’t at Byron that day. We will need to wait for at least the preliminary NTSB reports but we will make sure to cooperate with the NTSB investigator.
This is a tragic loss and we at NCSA are still in shock. Yet this is unfortunately not uncommon. Please keep in mind that these sorts of accidents have additional victim, the glider pilot who have to live with it. We are all human and prone to distraction no matter how experienced and trained we are. No one knowingly or purposely kite their glider.

Ramy

Ramy, what model glider was involved? I assume side opening canopy.

Ummmm.......later post mirrors my post here......
Our club does low tow predominantly.....but we teach both (I am an ex CFIG....didn't do a renewal years ago because of work travel)...,
Dufis on the glider end can muck up any tow..... went to a funeral of a friend due to a squirrel we ran off. Kiting issue....

I have "quite a few aerotows" over decades.....worst were low power tug with a water laden 15M ship.....
Beyond that....you're current, discussion with tug pilot, discussion with locals...may be "sporty" but doable....
Issue is peeps that don't do low tow, tend to do,"stupid low tow".....lack of conversation....that whole wind gradient thingy...
Look in most gliding books.....low tow is recommended for cross country....
Our group is maybe 1 of 2 or 3 in the US of A that do low tow normally.....

Sucks for the loss...condolences for all involved...bad day in general....