KNOXVILLE, TN, USA
N2135R
BURKHART GROB G103
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO INSTRUCT REAR SEAT PASSENGER, WHO DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH, HOW TO OPEN AIR VENT. THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY PULLED THE TOW CABLE RELEASE AND THE GLIDER DISCONNECTED FROM THE TOW AIRCRAFT AT 150 FEET. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE RUNWAY BEFORE LANDING ON A GRASSY SLOPE, AND GROUND LOOPING, AT WHICH TIME THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES.
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY INSTRUCT THE PASSENGER ON AIRCRAFT CONTROLS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY RELEASING THE TOW CABLE AS THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED THROUGH 150 FEET.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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