Cle Elum crash on NTSB

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/br...13X31821&key=1

NTSB Identification: WPR12FA010
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, October 13, 2011 in Cle Elum, WA
Aircraft: DG FLUGZEUGBAU GMBH DG 1000S, registration: 7760A
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain
errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final
report has been completed.

On October 13, 2011, about 1558 Pacific daylight time, a Flugzeugbau
DG 1000 S glider, N7760A, impacted terrain while being ground launched
from a tow vehicle at Cle Elum Municipal Airport (S93), Cle Elum,
Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally
injured and the 2-seat glider sustained substantial damage. The glider
was registered to Northwest Eagle Soaring LLC, and operated under the
provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual
meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The NTSB investigator-in-charge and law enforcement officials
interviewed multiple witnesses located adjacent to the departure
runway. The witnesses reported that the first stage of auto-tow launch
appeared normal, and the glider became airborne within the first one-
third of the runway. Shortly thereafter, about three-quarters of the
way down the asphalt runway, the glider pitched to a steep nose-high
attitude. As the glider ascended through about 100 – 125 feet above
the ground, the rope slackened. The glider continued to ascend, and
then leveled off about 200 feet above the end of the runway. Shortly
after, the glider entered a steep right bank and descended into the
ground. As it descended, the glider turned approximately 300 degrees
from its initial departure heading before it impacted terrain.

A full-size sport utility vehicle was towing the glider. The nylon tow
rope used measured approximately 234 feet and was 5/16-inch in
diameter.

Runway 07/25 is 2,552 feet in length and 40 feet wide. The runway is
bordered to the north by large conifer trees.