Pégase 101 student tow release on swerve → ground loop on grass strip

A Pégase 101 was substantially damaged on an aerotow takeoff at Neuchâtel (Switzerland); the student pilot was uninjured. He held 32 hours total with about 1 h 21 min on the Pégase after dual training on a DG-500, and began the roll on hard RWY 05 under instructor supervision. As lateral deviations from the centreline grew, the student released the tow rope during the roll. The glider continued off course onto the grass strip north of the runway and entered a ground loop; lateral sliding loads delaminated the rear fuselage tube about 1 m forward of the vertical tail. Low time on type sat behind the inability to keep the takeoff straight.

1. Aerotow takeoff on hard runway 05: The student pilot began the aerotow takeoff roll in the Pégase 101 on hard runway 05 at Neuchâtel, under instructor supervision.
2. Low time on the Pégase 101: 32 h total, only 1 h 21 min on the Pégase across 8 prior flights, after dual training on a DG-500 two-seater. First solo experience on a single-seater of this type.
3. Lateral deviations on roll: Early in the takeoff roll the glider began to deviate laterally from the runway centerline instead of tracking straight behind the tug; the deviations grew rather than damping out.
4. Student releases tow rope on roll: Seeing the deviations amplify, the student pilot decided to release the aerotow rope during the ground roll.
5. Excursion onto grass strip: After rope release the glider continued off its intended path and entered the grass strip north of the paved runway.
6. Ground loop on grass: On the grass the glider initiated a ground loop, sliding laterally before coming to rest.
7. Rear fuselage delamination: Lateral sliding loads delaminated the rear fuselage tube about 1 m forward of the vertical tail; the glider was substantially damaged. Pilot uninjured.