On Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 11:56:08 PM UTC-4, 2G wrote:
On Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 5:35:20 PM UTC-7, Tom wrote:
Preliminary report: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/Re...relim&IType=LA

After examining the photos, it appears that the towplane's altitude was approximately 3 wing spans, or about 100 ft AGL. The towpilot did cut the tow rope with the internal guillotine mechanism, but by that time was in an unrecoverable attitude.

The glider pilot did go thru a pre-launch checklist that included checking that the canopy was closed and locked. I don't see how more training and drilling on checklists and procedures could have prevented this accident. The glider pilot, however, could have prevented it by immediately releasing when the canopy flew open, and could have safely landed straight ahead.

Tom

The photos and the timeline are very telling. Unless I am reading the timeline incorrectly the glider pilot was on tow for 13 seconds before the executed detachment and return to the airport. Unfortunate and preventable, obviously the canopy was not latched as stated.