TOLEDO, WA, USA
N5720S
SCHWEIZER SGS-2-33
THE WEAK LINK AT THE TOW VEHICLE BROKE DURING LAUNCHING. THE PLT LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT AND TURNED INTO THE WIND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS STALLED AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT RATE. THE ACFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WEAK LINK ROPE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR TESTING TO DETERMINE THE STRENGTH OF THE ROPE AND ANY DEFECTS. THE PLT ASSUMED TOO HIGH OF A PITCH ANGLE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOR THIS TYPE OF LAUNCH WITH THE TOW HOOK BEING FORWARD OF THE ACFT'S C.G. BEING APPROXIMATELY 150 FT AGL WHEN THE STALL OCCURRED, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO FULLY RECOVER PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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