# NTSB investigations: Glider tow event NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR26LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA263.md): Schleicher ASW-27 · Montague, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Jul 15, 2026 · N920KB · Substantial damage - [NTSB CEN26LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA231.md): Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly · Whitewater, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Jun 23, 2026 · N3849A · No damage > On 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 ERA26FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA214.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Saratoga Springs, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 26, 2026 · N8656L · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > On 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 ERA26LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA085.md): Burkhart Grob Luft UND Raumfah G103 Twin Astir Trai · Brownsboro, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 26, 2025 · N103T · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN25FA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA248.md): Piper PA-25 · Hot Springs, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 12, 2025 · N8186K · Substantial damage > On 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 CEN24LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA133.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Falcon, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2024 · N2905H · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and an impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA24LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA098.md): Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir · Zephyrhills, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 25, 2024 · N1202Z · Substantial damage > The glider pilot’s failure to release from the towline after the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power. - [NTSB GAA23WA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA182.md): Robin DR400 · Lienz, Austria · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jun 25, 2023 · D-EWLA · Substantial damage - [NTSB ERA21LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA330.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · North Springfield, VT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 15, 2021 · N2805H · Substantial damage > The check pilot's failure to account for the extended departure distance from the airport during a simulated tow rope break and recovery. - [NTSB CEN21LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA226.md): I.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2 · Hampshire, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 16, 2021 · N41CR · Substantial damage > The 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 GAA19CA506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA506.md): Grob G103 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2019 · N901BG · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA18LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA211.md): Schweizer SGS233 · Churchville, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2018 · N2832H · Substantial damage > The 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 GAA18CA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA222.md): Piper PA 25-235 · Saratoga Springs, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 22, 2018 · N7247Z · Substantial damage > The glider pilot’s failure to maintain pitch during a CG aerotow, which resulted in the loss of control of the tow airplane. - [NTSB ERA18FA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA128.md): S.Z.D. SZD 48 Jantar STD 2 · LaBelle, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 2018 · N456RM · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. - [NTSB ERA18LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA087.md): Aero Commander Callair A 9 · Bunn, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 24, 2018 · N8401V · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN17LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA305.md): Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib · Marion, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2017 · N102BK · Substantial damage > The 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 GAA17CA466](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA466.md): AB Sportine Aviacija LAK 17 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2017 · N128LA · Destroyed > The 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 GAA17CA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA340.md): Sportine Aviacija LAK 12 · Reno, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 14, 2017 · N4206N · Substantial damage > The glider pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch during an aerotow takeoff. - [NTSB GAA15CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA177.md): Centrair 101A · Hartford, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2015 · N39KG · Substantial damage > The 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 GAA15CA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA141.md): Schweizer SGS 2 32 · Middlefield, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2015 · N275P · Substantial damage > The student pilot's incorrect pitch and roll rate control inputs which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and incipient spin at a low altitude. - [NTSB GAA15CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA028.md): Let L23 - NO Series · Los Alamitos, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 29, 2015 · N381BA · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA15LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA022.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Warren, VT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 2014 · N8514L · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > The 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 WPR14LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA367.md): Piper PA 25-235 · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2014 · N7117Z · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN14CA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA280.md): Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3/24.5 · Wallis, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 6, 2014 · N245AB · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain direction control of the glider during takeoff in gusty wind conditions. - [NTSB WPR14FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA181.md): Aero Tek Zuni · Aguila, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 3, 2014 · N22DA · Substantial damage > The 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 WPR13FA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA300.md): Allstar PZL Glider SZD-54-2 Perkoz · Jacumba, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 2013 · N684SD · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA13CA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA035.md): AB Sportine Aviacija Genesis 2 · Roseland, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 20, 2012 · N4KN · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain glider control during takeoff. - [NTSB CEN12LA605](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA605.md): Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · El Paso, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2012 · N5489X · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA12LA455](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA455.md): Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · Hilltown, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 2012 · N5448G · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN12FA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA378.md): Iar Brasov IS-28B2 · Wallis, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2012 · N6388V · Substantial damage > The 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 WPR12CA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA084.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Peoria, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 28, 2012 · N17873 · Substantial damage > The glider pilot released from the tow airplane at a lower altitude than the planned altitude, which resulted in an off-airport landing. - [NTSB WPR12FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA010.md): DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S · Cle Elum, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2011 · N7760A · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and control after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB CEN11LA585](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA585.md): Aero Commander Callair A-9B · Marshall, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2011 · N7638V · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA11FA413](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA413.md): Moyes Dragonfly · Ridgely, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2011 · N402HA · Substantial damage > An in-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations. - [NTSB ERA11FA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA401.md): Slingsby Capstan Type 49B · Hollywood, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2011 · N7475 · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA11LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA234.md): Let L 33 Solo · New Castle, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 2011 · N286BA · Substantial damage > Pilot incapacitation shortly after takeoff for unknown reasons. - [NTSB CEN10FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA115.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Boulder, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2010 · N8718L · 3 aircraft · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN10LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA035.md): Blanik L-13 · Middlefield, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2009 · N1142 · Substantial damage > The student pilot's improper control inputs which resulted in the inadvertent stall of the glider. - [NTSB WPR09LA449](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA449.md): Schweizer SGS 1-34 · Lake Elsinore, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2009 · N7656 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider after the tow line released during the initial climb. - [NTSB CEN09CA577](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA577.md): Ketonen Schreder · Ionia, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 5, 2009 · N161HP · Substantial damage > The pilot failed to maintain control of the glider during the aero-tow launch. - [NTSB WPR09LA381](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA381.md): Schempp Hirth Discus CS · Williams, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2009 · N7HV · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain after intentionally releasing from the tow plane at a low altitude during the initial climb. - [NTSB WPR09CA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA368.md): Schweizer SGU 2-22CK · Ephrata, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2009 · N3907A · Substantial damage > The premature launch signal given by the wing walker. - [NTSB CEN09LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA353.md): Burkhart Grob G103C Twin III Acro · Gregory, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2009 · N103MS · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN09LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA278.md): Glasflugel H201B · Meadow Lake Airport, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 2009 · N17TD · Substantial damage > A programming anomaly within the winch's computer aided launch control system, which incorrectly limited the maximum winch speed during launch of the glider. - [NTSB CEN09CA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA007.md): Let Blanik · Gardner, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 4, 2008 · N48026 · Substantial damage > The 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. ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql 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 ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.