Discus climbs into the high tow position and loses control
The pilot was seriously injured and the glider destroyed after it climbed into the high tow position on aerotow, upset the towplane, and could not be recovered. The pilot tried to release but could not reach the handle — probably because the seat back, its lock likely not engaged, had slid fully aft. The tug pilot held on, expecting a correction; moments later the towplane pitched steeply nose-down. In the dive the cable broke and the tug recovered near the ground, but the glider could not be recovered and struck trees, then the ground. Investigators noted that the tug pilot's choice not to release contributed to the loss of control.
- Aerotow launch, tug seeking lift: After an aerotow launch for a local flight, the tug made two left turns then a right turn to search for lift.
- Glider rose into high position: In the right turn the glider climbed above the tug into the high tow position, and a radio warning was passed.
- Could not reach the release: The pilot tried to release but could not reach the handle; the seat back, its lock likely not engaged, had slid fully aft.
- Neither end released: The tug pilot held on rather than release, expecting a correction; with the glider high, the towplane was pitched steeply nose-down.
- Cable broke in the dive: During the dive the cable broke under abnormal tension at the tug-side knot, and the tug recovered close to the ground.
- Struck trees and the ground: The glider could not be brought back under control and struck trees, then the ground; the pilot was seriously injured, the glider destroyed.