Tow Pilot Said The Glider Started Pulling The Tail Of The Tow Plane Up And He Had To Apply Full Aft Elevator To Compensate

Location: Waynesville, OH Accident Number: ERA24FA362
Date & Time: August 30, 2024, 13:21 Local Registration: N264JM
Aircraft: Schleicher Alexander GMBH & Co ASH 26 E Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 30, 2024, about 1321 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher Alexander GMBH & CO ASH 26 E glider, N264JM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Caesar Creek Soaring Club Gliderport (2OH9), Waynesville, Ohio. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The glider was taking off at the time of the accident and was being towed by a Piper Pawnee (PA-25) airplane. According to the tow pilot, this was his third and final tow of the day. He knew the glider pilot and had towed him several times. The tow pilot said he performed a radio check with the glider pilot and the glider pilot “wagged” his rudder when he was ready for takeoff. 

The tow pilot initiated the takeoff roll and rotated about half-way down the 2,800-ftlong grass runway. At that time, the tow pilot noted the glider was already airborne which was “unusual.” By the time he was about three-quarters down the runway, and about 100 to 150 ft above the ground, the glider had climbed above and to the left of the tow plane. The tow pilot said the glider started pulling the tail of the tow plane up and he had to apply full aft elevator to compensate. The tow pilot released the glider and felt the tow rope release. He was able to climb during which time he saw the glider make a left turn. He did not observe the glider impact the ground and reported that there were no communications from the glider pilot during the short flight.

A witness, who connected the tow rope to the glider and ran alongside the glider during the takeoff, said the takeoff was normal. When the glider reached about 100 to 150 ft above the ground, it made a shallow right turn followed by an abrupt descending left turn. The glider impacted the ground in a steep nose down attitude.

Another witness said the glider was a little high on takeoff. It then pitched up “radically” and the right wing dropped slightly. The glider then rolled almost 90° left and descended straight down into the ground. The glider came to rest inverted on the runway and all major components were accounted for at the scene. The cockpit area sustained significant impact damage. Flight control continuity for the elevator, ailerons and rudder was established to the aft cockpit area.

The glider was equipped with an engine; however, the engine was stowed and not being used at the time of the accident. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov