Incident Description
On 14 August 2020, a pilot-instructor was conducting glider towing flights in a SOCATA RALLYE 235C (registration SP-KNF), a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. During the sixth flight of the day, the pilot took off at 19:14 LMT with an SZD-30 Pirat glider. After releasing the glider at 500 meters, the pilot performed a left-hand circuit approach to runway 13. The flight, approach, and landing (at 19:21 LMT) were normal. During the final stage of the landing roll, while the aircraft was moving at low speed (approximately 10 km/h), the pilot released the control stick and reached toward the canopy to open it. Simultaneously, the pilot heard a radio command from the flight director: "Foxtrot, stop!" and applied the brakes. The aircraft nosed over, striking the operating propeller against the grass surface, which caused the engine to stop. Moments later, the tail lowered back to its normal position. The pilot turned off the ignition and master switch, then exited the aircraft unaided. A breath alcohol test administered to the pilot was negative.
Cause
The probable cause of the incident was an error in piloting technique, specifically releasing the control stick while taxiing and simultaneously applying the brakes. The pilot did not follow the principle "Pilot – Navigate – Communicate."
Contributing Factors
A contributing factor was the pilot's low flight experience on tailwheel aircraft: only 17 hours in the preceding 24 months.
Aftermath
The aircraft was examined and transported to a hangar. The incident was discussed with the pilot, other towing pilots, and training instructors, and was also reviewed during the annual flight safety conference. No safety recommendations were issued.