Tost release failure

There are specific notes on my website and on TOST website warning of
possible damages due to the use of non-approved or badly worn Tost Tow rings
http://www.wingsandwheels.com/page30.htm
tim--
Please visit the Wings & Wheels website at www.wingsandwheels.com


"Bill D" wrote in message
...
For the first time in my life I heard a 1st person story of a release
failure.
The story follows:

The glider, an ASK-21, was jerked forward by the tug so the front wheel
rolled over the rope at the start of an aero tow. The slack was then taken
out and the tow was launched without inspecting the hook and release. The
working theory is that this somehow cocked the ring set in the hook so it
failed to release even with pilot and passenger pulling on the release
knobs. The pilot eventually got a successful release by yawing the glider
strongly.

AFAIK, the hook in question had not reached it's 2000 tow life limit nor is
there any history of repair or maintenance in the hook area. There had been
cases where a commercial operator had insisted on providing tows using a
chain link instead of a Tost ring set. We think it possible this had
damaged the hook in some way.

Operationally, should a roll-over happen again, we will release the rope and
re-attach before proceeding with a launch. The release will get special
attention in the annual inspection later this month. No chain links will be
allowed for any purpose.

Not enough information to form an opinion, but I would suspect a worn/
damaged or improper tost ring substitute was used, as opposed to the
hook being defective. If you can't see the stamp on the ring, it is
no good IMO.