HEMET, CA, USA
N65843
SCHWEIZER SGS 2-33A
N9340X
CESSNA 182E
WHEN THE GLIDER PLT & TOW PLT WERE READY TO LAUNCH, THE RWY ASSISTANT WAS HELPING WITH THE LAUNCH OF ANOTHER GLIDER. THE GLIDER PLT OF N65843 ELECTED TO CONNECT THE TOW LINE TO HIS OWN GLIDER. THE TOW PLANE WAS TAXIED INTO PSN & THE GLIDER PLT CONNECTED THE LINE. THE TOW PLT WATCHED AS THE GLIDER PLT GOT INTO THE COCKPIT (AFT SEAT) WITH A PSGR IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE GLIDER PLT THEN DECIDED TO GET OUT AGAIN TO ADJUST HIS SEAT CUSHION. HOWEVER, AS HE WAS GETTING OUT, THE TOW PLT SAW MOVEMENT OF THE RUDDER WHICH HE ASSUMED WAS THE SIGNAL FOR LAUNCH. THE TOW PLT LOOKED AWAY & BGN A TAKEOFF WITH ONLY THE PSGR IN THE GLIDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED AS IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL, STALLED & CRASHED.
INADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TOW PILOT AND GLIDER PILOT, FAILURE OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE, AND THE TOW PILOT'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE GLIDER PILOT'S INTENTIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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