20071006830579A

(-23) While taking off from runway 24 with glider in tow during a glider towing activity at New Garden Airport (N57), the glider instructor noticed a tail wheel shimmy on the tow plane, and the tow plane drifting to the right. The glider instructor aborted the takeoff and released the tow rope. The glider continued down the runway while the tow plane continued to drift to the right, and went off the runway approximately 80FT after the release of the glider, and entered the grassy area adjacent to the runway. The tow plane then attempted to takeoff, departed the ground with the plane banking to the right. The tow plane reached an altitude of approx. 30-40 feet and continued to bank to the right. The aircraft then pitched up, continuing to bank to the right, lost altitude until the tow plane impacted the right wing and right main gear at approx. 580 ft from the runway. The aircraft came to rest facing the runway approx. 650 ft from the runway, at approx. an 80 degree angle. The tow plane became engulfed in flames with the pilot in the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. Ground personnel attempted to rescue the pilot but the pilot was not able to exit the aircraft.