What happened
On August 11, 2019, a training flight involving an aero-tow operation at Havlíčkův Brod airport resulted in a fatal accident. The flight was intended to be a transition training session for a pilot moving to the ASW-19 B glider type.
During the takeoff roll from runway 11, the glider drifted significantly from the centerline. The pilot of the glider failed to respond to an instructor's radio command to immediately release the tow cable during this unstable rollout. Consequently, the glider remained attached to the ultra-light (UL) towing aircraft. As the tow continued, the aircraft entered a steep climb, struggling to maintain airspeed due to the drag and the vertical component of the tow tension.
As the glider moved out of the tow pilot's direct line of sight and began oscillating, the tow pilot eventually observed the glider in a heavy left bank. At an altitude of approximately 50 meters, the tow pilot released the cable. Without any attempt to recover, the glider entered a left spin and struck the ground, resulting in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined several sources, including flight data from both the glider and the UL aircraft, radio communications, security camera footage, and witness statements. The investigation also reviewed the qualifications of the crew and the maintenance status of the aircraft.
Investigators established that the glider was airworthy and the tow release mechanism was functional. The investigation focused on the sequence of pilot actions during the takeoff roll and the subsequent climb, as well as the instructor's role in the training preparation.