On Jan 26, 7:53*am, mattm wrote:
On Jan 26, 12:41*am, T wrote:





On Jan 25, 8:22*pm, Jim Logajan wrote:

T wrote:
I am not aware of any tow pilot or tow plane losses in the last few
years during tow or as a result of glider actions on tow.
I am aware of tow plane/pilot losses caused either by a 3rd aircraft
interaction (Colorado) or a midair back in the traffic pattern after
release and during landing. Not related to the act of towing.

I am aware of one. There was a tragic accident about 16 months ago at our
glider club in which our tow pilot (and club president) and was killed
during a tow. The NTSB released a probable cause just last month (and
the local paper had a story also):

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/GenPDF.asp?...http://www..re......

I knew him somewhat, but not deeply. He never struck me as someone who was
cavalier about safety, so the mistakes that were made are doubly sad.

I note that the NTSB did not fault the student glider pilot for
inadvertently moving out of position due to the distraction. I suppose
other than making sure your mental facilities are unimpaired, clubs with
SGS 2-33's might want to make doubly sure that the back door is properly
secured prior to any launch - particularly with low time pilots.

Thank you for the information. That accident did not appear on any
discussion forums as others do so I missed it.
Valid points for any doors, canopies, or latches on any glider with
more than one entry point. A 2-33, Grob 103, or ASK-21.

More argument for Tost tow assemblies.

It appears the NTSB concentrated on the tow pilots medical report.

T

Hmm, very interesting report. *I thought we were about to launch on
the
annual extended discussion of Schweitzer hooks and gliders.

However, I will point out that a student pilot's actions are
considered
to be up to the instructor's judgement, even if the student is flying
solo. *The instructor must have suitably trained the student to handle
the flight before turning them loose, and must supervise all their
flights
until their checkride. *I think that's part of the NTSB attitude in
the
report, although they don't mention the instructor.

-- Matt- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The student did as trained.. was distracted.. noticed he was out of
position with tow in sight.. attempted to recover to proper position..
lost sight of tow and released and returned to the field.

What else is the instructor to do?

Nothing mentioned of the instructor in the final report. If it was an
"unsupervised solo", it might have been mentioned.

IIRC from other threads, only the insurance company requires the
instructor to be on the field for direct supversion. Not the FARs.

T