G102 Club Astir IIIB aerotow ground loop — strikes parked golf cart

A Burkhart Grob G102 Club Astir IIIB on aerotow takeoff at Highland-Winet Airport (Illinois) struck a parked golf cart; the pilot was uninjured and the right wing substantially damaged. The glider drifted left in a crosswind and moved out of position behind the towplane. The left wing dropped to the ground, the glider began to ground loop, and the pilot released from the towplane. The right wing then struck a parked golf cart. NTSB cited the pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff.

1. Aerotow takeoff roll: During the initial aerotow takeoff roll, the glider began its ground run behind the tow airplane on the grass runway.
2. Drift in crosswind: As the tow began, the glider drifted to the left due to a crosswind and moved out of proper position behind the towplane.
3. Directional control not kept: The pilot did not maintain adequate directional control to keep the glider aligned behind the towplane during the takeoff roll.
4. Wing drop and ground loop: As the tow progressed, the glider’s left wing contacted the ground and the glider began to ground loop, prompting the pilot to release from the towplane.
5. Crash - no injury: During the ground loop the right wing struck a parked golf cart, causing substantial damage to the glider but no injuries to the pilot.