What happened
Shortly after departing the runway, a Cessna (type not specified) aircraft engaged in towing a glider experienced a complete loss of engine power. The event occurred at an altitude of approximately 150 feet above ground level.
Upon the loss of power, the glider pilot successfully released the tow-line and performed an uneventful landing in a nearby field. The towing aircraft entered a right turn and subsequently made a hard landing, coming to rest in a field located to the right of the runway. There were no injuries reported.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine and the airframe's fuel system. The aircraft was found to have had a sufficient amount of fuel onboard, and the fuel showed no signs of debris or contamination. Testing confirmed that the engine ran smoothly at various power settings when operated using the aircraft's own fuel system. The examination of both the airplane and the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions.