Mini Nimbus hits a parked truck after the pilot's hand slips off the release handle

A pilot was seriously injured and his Mini Nimbus substantially damaged when the glider left the runway during an aerotow launch at a competition in Groveland and struck a parked pickup truck. The glider yawed left as the left wingtip dropped to the ground at the start of the roll. His hand slipped off the release handle at the first attempt, and by the time he had released and tried to turn and stop, the truck was ahead of him. The reason for the yaw was not established. The truck stood about 45 m left of the runway centreline, in a strip the event guidance marked to be kept clear.

1. Competition launch on runway 18: The glider was lined up on the left side of the turf runway for an aerotow launch during a competition, its left wingtip about 30 cm from the runway edge.
2. Left wingtip drops on the roll: As the tow plane began to roll the glider yawed to the left and the left wingtip dropped to the ground. The reason for the yaw was not established.
3. Hand slips off the release handle: As the glider approached the access road the pilot reached for the release, but his hand slipped off the handle and the first attempt did not free the rope.
4. Runway excursion to the left: He released at the second attempt and tried to turn and stop, but the glider crossed the access road running alongside the runway.
5. Collision with a parked truck: The glider struck an unoccupied pickup truck standing about 45 m left of the centreline. The forward fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged and the pilot was seriously injured.