Accident Details
The pilot-in-command, a commercial pilot, was undergoing a check-out on a glider club tow plane with a 'check out pilot' who held a Canadian glider pilot license and Canadian private pilot certificate for single-engine land airplanes, though their U.S. private pilot certificate only included a glider rating.
Sequence of Events
According to both pilots, approximately 100 feet into the landing roll from a steep approach—which the 'check out' pilot described as typical for tow planes due to tow rope considerations—the airplane's left wing lifted and the plane began to veer to the right. The pilot-in-command reported applying up to full left rudder in an unsuccessful attempt to correct the motion. Both pilots stated that the 'check out' pilot applied power, but the airplane continued turning until it reached about 90 degrees to the right of the runway heading. Subsequently, the left landing gear broke, and the left wing contacted the ground.
Mechanical Status
The operator's NTSB accident report indicated no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved.