What happened
During a flight intended to teach glider-tow operations, the pilot in the rear seat was instructing the pilot in the front seat. After completing six landings, the crew refueled the aircraft and departed from runway 02. Several minutes after takeoff, an explosion occurred, followed by a fire observed near the departure end of the runway. Although witnesses reported hearing an explosion and seeing fire, there were no known eyewitnesses to the actual accident.
The aircraft impacted a grass area, creating a debris path approximately 95 feet long. The wreckage came to rest about 75 feet prior to the runway. This debris path was located to the right of the runway centerline, oriented at a heading of approximately 150 degrees, and progressed toward runway 20.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions regarding the engine or the airframe. Investigators found that the fuel selector was positioned near the left tank setting.