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NTSB Report
May 11, 1985 · Champion 7KCAB · N5285X
Chattanooga, OK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Chattanooga, OK
Aircraft
Champion 7KCAB
Tail Number
N5285X
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW85LA217
THE PILOT WAS TOW LAUNCHING A GLIDER. WHEN ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND FOR UNKNOWN REASONS THE GLIDER SUDDENLY GAINED UNWANTED ALTITUDE AND CLIMBED ABOVE THE TOW PLANE. THIS PITCHED THE NOSE OF THE TOW PLANE DOWNWARD BEFORE THE TOW LINE COULD BE RELEASED. RELEASE WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY BOTH PILOTS, HOWEVER, THE TOW PLANE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER AND GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ALTITUDE WITH THE LEFT WING LOW. THE GLIDER PILOT CIRCLED BACK TO THE RUNWAY AND MADE A SUCCESSFUL LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS TOW LAUNCHING A GLIDER. WHEN ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND FOR UNKNOWN REASONS THE GLIDER SUDDENLY GAINED UNWANTED ALTITUDE AND CLIMBED ABOVE THE TOW PLANE. THIS PITCHED THE NOSE OF THE TOW PLANE DOWNWARD BEFORE THE TOW LINE COULD BE RELEASED. RELEASE WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY BOTH PILOTS, HOWEVER, THE TOW PLANE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER AND GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ALTITUDE WITH THE LEFT WING LOW. THE GLIDER PILOT CIRCLED BACK TO THE RUNWAY AND MADE A SUCCESSFUL LANDING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 CDT
Nearest AirportSky Harbor (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftChampion 7KCAB
Tail NumberN5285X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 14 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT