Twin Astir is pulled onto the runway by a taut towline after a tug power loss
The pilot of a Twin Astir was seriously injured, and the glider substantially damaged, when a taut towline pulled it onto the runway at Zephyrhills during an aerotow launch. Both aircraft had just left the ground when the tug lost engine power and landed straight ahead on the runway. The pilot did not release, and the glider ran on to the limit of the rope and was pulled abruptly down; the nose was crushed and the empennage separated. The release hook was later found to work normally.
- Aerotow takeoff at Zephyrhills: A Twin Astir and its tug lifted off together at Zephyrhills at the start of a normal aerotow.
- Tug loses power after lift-off: With both aircraft only just off the ground, the tug lost engine power.
- Glider stays on the rope: The tug landed straight ahead on the runway while the glider flew on, still attached to the towline.
- Towline comes taut: The glider reached the limit of the rope and was pulled abruptly down onto the runway.
- Nose crushed, empennage torn off: The nose was crushed and the empennage separated from the fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured.