Accident to the Robin DR300 registered F-BTBC on 12/07/2022 at Revel
Glider higher than tug aircraft while being towed, loss of control of aeroplane, release by glider pilot, collision with trees then ground
During the climb, the glider found itself above the tug aircraft. The investigation was not able to determine the exact circumstances of this in the absence of the tug aircraft’s flight path data.
When the glider pilot became aware of the glider’s high position, he pulled on the handle to actuate the release system. The glider pilot then started a RH turn thinking that the cable had been released. The input on the release handle had been insufficient and the cable remained hooked to the glider.
The combination of the glider’s high position and the glider pilot starting to turn very probably generated substantial tension in the tow cable which loaded the rear of the tug aircraft. The tug pilot lost control of his aeroplane.
The two occupants in the glider simultaneously pulled on their release handles which activated the opening of the tow hook and freed the cable.
The investigation was not able to determine if the tug pilot had tried to release the cable.
Given the low height at which the loss of control occurred, the tug pilot was not able to regain control and the aeroplane collided with a tree and then the ground.