NTSB investigations
45 cases where the sequence of events included Glider tow event.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '510' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"isDefiningEvent\")) ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '510' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB WPR26LA263Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openSchleicher ASW-27 · Montague, CANTSB CEN26LA231Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportBailey-Moyes Dragonfly · Whitewater, WIOn June 22, 2026, about 1915 central daylight time, a Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly, N3849A, was involved in an accident near Whitewater, Wisconsin. The pilot of the Dragonfly was not injured. The pilot of the hang glider in tow was fatally injured. The tow…NTSB ERA26FA214Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-25-235 · Saratoga Springs, NYOn May 26, 2026, about 1347 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N8656L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Saratoga Springs, New York. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB ERA26LA085Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob Luft UND Raumfah G103 Twin Astir Trai · Brownsboro, ALThe flight instructor’s failure to properly lock the rear canopy prior to flight, which led to the canopy opening during aerotow at low altitude, and a subsequent off-airport landing in a corn field.NTSB CEN25FA248Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-25 · Hot Springs, SDOn July 12, 2025, about 1322 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N8186K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hot Springs, South Dakota. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB CEN24LA133Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Falcon, COThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and an impact with terrain.NTSB ERA24LA098Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir · Zephyrhills, FLThe glider pilot’s failure to release from the towline after the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power.NTSB GAA23WA182Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobin DR400 · Lienz, AustriaNTSB ERA21LA330Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · North Springfield, VTThe check pilot's failure to account for the extended departure distance from the airport during a simulated tow rope break and recovery.NTSB CEN21LA226Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportI.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2 · Hampshire, ILThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack following the breakage of the weak/safety link during a winch launch, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin, and…NTSB GAA19CA506Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrob G103 · San Antonio, TXThe failure of the glider tow rope, which lodged in the glider's rudder and resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to properly secure the glider's aft canopy.NTSB ERA18LA211Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS233 · Churchville, MDThe pilots' decision to take off from a wet, upsloping turf runway with a quartering tailwind and elevated density altitude conditions, which degraded takeoff and climb performance and resulted in the glider flight instructor's decision to discontinue the…NTSB GAA18CA222Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 25-235 · Saratoga Springs, NYThe glider pilot’s failure to maintain pitch during a CG aerotow, which resulted in the loss of control of the tow airplane.NTSB ERA18FA128Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportS.Z.D. SZD 48 Jantar STD 2 · LaBelle, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB ERA18LA087Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander Callair A 9 · Bunn, NCThe glider instructor's delayed remedial action when the glider became out of position during aerotow, which resulted in excessive side-loading of the release hook and a delay in the glider's release from tow, which resulted in the towplane’s descent and…NTSB CEN17LA305Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib · Marion, OHThe pilot’s failure to follow the before takeoff checklist, which resulted in an improper takeoff configuration and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain during a departure climb.NTSB GAA17CA466Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAB Sportine Aviacija LAK 17 · Uvalde, TXThe ground crewmember’s failure to fully engage the tow hook release arm during preflight, which resulted in the premature release of the glider at insufficient altitude to complete a safe landing.NTSB GAA17CA340Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSportine Aviacija LAK 12 · Reno, NVThe glider pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch during an aerotow takeoff.NTSB GAA15CA177Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCentrair 101A · Hartford, WIThe glider pilot's failure to connect the elevator to the elevator control rod during the assembly process, resulting in a loss of control, and a collision with terrain during takeoff.NTSB GAA15CA141Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2 32 · Middlefield, OHThe student pilot's incorrect pitch and roll rate control inputs which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and incipient spin at a low altitude.NTSB GAA15CA028Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportLet L23 - NO Series · Los Alamitos, CAThe inadvertent deployment of the air brakes during initial climb, resulting in a loss of lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to identify and remediate the cause.NTSB ERA15LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Warren, VTThe glider pilot’s failure to avoid the tow plane after the aborted takeoff due to both pilots’ failure to review the aborted takeoff procedure before the flight, which led to both pilots turning right after the aborted takeoff.NTSB WPR14LA367Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25-235 · Warner Springs, CAThe glider pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the initial climb while being towed, which led to the tow plane's unstable flight and its subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the tow pilot's delayed release of the…NTSB CEN14CA280Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Nimbus 3/24.5 · Wallis, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain direction control of the glider during takeoff in gusty wind conditions.NTSB WPR14FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Tek Zuni · Aguila, AZThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the glider after the tow cable separated prematurely due to an incomplete engagement of the cable in the control tow release system due to a missing spring.NTSB WPR13FA300Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAllstar PZL Glider SZD-54-2 Perkoz · Jacumba, CAThe premature release of the towline from the glider and the glider’s subsequent right banking turn at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident airframe examination did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction or…NTSB ERA13CA035Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAB Sportine Aviacija Genesis 2 · Roseland, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain glider control during takeoff.NTSB CEN12LA605Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · El Paso, TXThe pilot‘s failure to maintain glider control while attempting to take off using a ground winch, which resulted in an inadvertent stall low to the ground. Contributing to the accident was the ground winch, which was unable to produce enough speed for a…NTSB ERA12LA455Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · Hilltown, PAThe improper decision of the flight instructor receiving instruction to attempt a course reversal rather than land straight ahead following a simulated low-level rope break, and the inadequate remedial action of the flight instructor-in-command for allowing…NTSB CEN12FA378Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportIar Brasov IS-28B2 · Wallis, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency situation, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s acute coronary event, which resulted from his severe…NTSB WPR12CA084Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Peoria, AZThe glider pilot released from the tow airplane at a lower altitude than the planned altitude, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB WPR12FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S · Cle Elum, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and control after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN11LA585Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander Callair A-9B · Marshall, MIThe towplane pilot's loss of control during an aerotow operation due to the glider pilot's inability to maintain a proper position behind the towplane while encountering turbulence on initial climb.NTSB ERA11FA413Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMoyes Dragonfly · Ridgely, MDAn in-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations.NTSB ERA11FA401Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSlingsby Capstan Type 49B · Hollywood, MDThe glider pilot’s improper response to the “check spoilers” signal from the tow pilot. Contributing to the accident was the glider pilot’s failure to confirm that the spoilers were closed and locked before takeoff, and the glider copilot’s improper crew…NTSB ERA11LA234Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLet L 33 Solo · New Castle, VAPilot incapacitation shortly after takeoff for unknown reasons.NTSB CEN10FA115Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Boulder, COThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other resulting in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the lack of perceived visual relative motion of the Piper and the Cirrus to the pilot of each airplane, the terrain background, and the…NTSB CEN10LA035Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBlanik L-13 · Middlefield, OHThe student pilot's improper control inputs which resulted in the inadvertent stall of the glider.NTSB WPR09LA449Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-34 · Lake Elsinore, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider after the tow line released during the initial climb.NTSB CEN09CA577Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportKetonen Schreder · Ionia, MIThe pilot failed to maintain control of the glider during the aero-tow launch.NTSB WPR09LA381Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp Hirth Discus CS · Williams, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain after intentionally releasing from the tow plane at a low altitude during the initial climb.NTSB WPR09CA368Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGU 2-22CK · Ephrata, WAThe premature launch signal given by the wing walker.NTSB CEN09LA353Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G103C Twin III Acro · Gregory, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the turn to return for landing, which resulted an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the ground winch tow cable shortly after takeoff.NTSB CEN09LA278Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGlasflugel H201B · Meadow Lake Airport, COA programming anomaly within the winch's computer aided launch control system, which incorrectly limited the maximum winch speed during launch of the glider.NTSB CEN09CA007Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLet Blanik · Gardner, KSThe pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff when the climb performance of the tow plane and the glider were inadequate. Contributing to the accident were the high density altitude and the terrain-induced turbulence.