What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Failed timely release on glider tow due lack of speed. Wing hit tall grass on rwy edge. Glider ground looped. (-23) during auto tow, pilot in command lost directional control. Struck right wing tip on ground. Aircraft pivoted on c.g. hook, struck ground tail first, rotated vertically, impacting ground inverted. Safety line in tow rope did not break.
As the FAA filed it
FAILED TIMELY RELEASE ON GLIDER TOW DUE LACK OF SPEED. WING HIT TALL GRASS ON RWY EDGE. GLIDER GROUND LOOPED. (-23) DURING AUTO TOW, PILOT IN COMMAND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. STRUCK RIGHT WING TIP ON GROUND. AIRCRAFT PIVOTED ON C.G. HOOK, STRUCK GROUND TAIL FIRST, ROTATED VERTICALLY, IMPACTING GROUND INVERTED. SAFETY LINE IN TOW ROPE DID NOT BREAK.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.