Wilga tug flips on takeoff after the ASW 15 it is towing veers out of position

A PZL-104 Wilga tug was severely damaged on takeoff after the ASW 15 it was towing veered out of position; the glider landed undamaged and both pilots were unhurt. On an aerotow launch at a military gliding contest, the glider swung about 20° right six seconds into the ground run and lifted off still yawed. The tug then broke left, the angle opening to 90°; as the glider ballooned into a steep climb and followed it left, the tug pilot aborted and the Wilga overturned. The glider pilot released at about 30 m, flew a 270° turn and landed in the opposite direction about 100 m from the wreck. No technical defects were found in either aircraft.

1. Aerotow launch at a contest: A PZL-104 Wilga towing an ASW 15 began its ground run on grass runway 09 at Holzdorf, during a military gliding competition.
2. Glider veers 20 degrees right: Six seconds into the ground run the glider swung about 20 degrees to the right and, six seconds later, lifted off still yawed to the right.
3. Tug breaks left to 90 degrees: About as the glider lifted off, the tug broke to the left and the angle between the two aircraft grew steadily to 90 degrees.
4. Glider balloons and follows left: About three seconds after lift-off the glider pitched into a steep, winch-launch-like climb and followed the tug to the left.
5. Tug aborts; glider releases: The tug pilot aborted the launch and the glider pilot released the rope; the glider was then at about 30 m.
6. Wilga overturns; glider lands clear: The Wilga overturned and was severely damaged, the pilot unhurt; the glider flew a 270-degree turn and landed undamaged in the opposite direction about 100 m from the wreck. No technical defects were found.