Incident Overview
A pilot in the rear seat was instructing the front-seat pilot in glider-tow operations. After completing six landings, the pilots refueled the aircraft and departed from runway 02. Several minutes after takeoff, witnesses reported hearing an explosion and observed a fire near the departure end of the runway. No known eyewitnesses saw the actual impact.
Wreckage and Debris
The aircraft struck a grass area, leaving a debris path approximately 95 feet long. The wreckage came to rest about 75 feet short of the runway. The debris path was located to the right of the runway centerline, oriented on a heading of about 150 degrees, and progressed toward runway 20.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The fuel selector was found positioned near the left tank setting. No other anomalies were identified.