ASH 26E rides high on aerotow; DR 400 tug forced down, crashes

A Robin DR 400/180 R tow plane was destroyed on aerotow at Klix (Germany) and the tug pilot was seriously injured; the ASH 26E glider landed safely and that pilot was uninjured. After both aircraft were airborne witnesses saw the glider climb noticeably above the tug. At about 30 m AGL the tug was forced into a progressively steeper nose-down dive, rolled left, and impacted a field southwest of the runway. The glider pilot released, flew a 180 degree turn, and landed on the airfield. The tow rope was found broken 14 cm behind the glider's hook and the tug release showed the tug pilot had been trying to cut the rope.

1. Aerotow takeoff at Klix RWY 10: At 15:46 the ASH 26E and a Robin DR 400/180 R departed RWY 10 at Klix airfield as a tow combination for a local soaring flight. Hot day (~34 °C); both crews were guests at a flying camp.
2. Glider climbs above tow plane: After both aircraft became airborne, witnesses saw the glider rise noticeably above the tow plane — a high-tow upset condition. The rope tension then pulled the tow plane's tail up and forced its nose down.
3. Tow plane forced into nose-down dive: At about 30 m above ground the tow plane's flight path angle progressively steepened nose-down (BFU: 'Bahnneigungsflug vergrößerte sich zunehmend'); the aircraft rolled left and lost control with no altitude to recover.
4. Tow pilot tried to release: Examination of the tow plane's release mechanism showed the tow pilot had attempted to cut the rope during the upset; no technical defects in the system were found.
5. Glider releases, 180° turn, lands: The glider pilot released the tow; the tow rope was found broken about 14 cm behind the glider's hook with the rope end still in the release. The glider flew a 180° turn and landed back on the airfield without damage.
6. Tow plane destroyed in field SW of runway: The Robin DR 400 impacted an arable field about 140 m beyond the runway threshold and southwest of RWY 10; nose, gear and engine were severely damaged or detached. No fire.
7. Tug pilot seriously injured; glider pilot uninjured: The tow plane's pilot was seriously injured and taken to hospital. The glider pilot was uninjured and the ASH 26E was undamaged.