Thread: Aero tow safety
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Old August 1st 07, 11:36 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Bill Daniels
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Posts: 687
Default Aero tow safety

I've personally had two near misses with this scenario and I have seen two
more just in the last 5 years. We need to make clear that if the tuggie
wants to abort on the runway, he should maintain speed and continue to the
end doing whatever neccessary to get out of the glider's way.

------------Copy from NTSB records----------------------------------

NTSB Identification: FTW82DA368A
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, September 05, 1982 in KATY, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 9/5/1983
Aircraft: BELLANCA 8GCBC, registration: N4167Y
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.
N4167Y, A BELLANCA 8GCBC, WAS BEING USED AS A GLIDER TOWPLANE. DURING THE
TAKEOFF RUN THE PILOT ABORTED BECAUSE HE FELT HE HAD INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE
FOR A NORMAL TOW. HE CONTINUED TO ROLL STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE CENTER LINE OF
A RELATIVELY NARROW TURF AIRSTRIP. THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER STRUCK THE
RUDDER OF N4167Y, WHICH HAD SLOWED TO A STOP, AND THE GLIDER THEN SPUN TO
THE LEFT PASSING THE TOWCRAFT AND RUNNING INTO THE PROPELLER.


The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of
this accident as follows:

PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY..NOT USED..PILOT IN COMMAND

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill Daniels