Probable cause
A malfunction of the tow release mechanism.
NTSB analysis
About 150 feet above ground level (agl) during a tow to altitude, the glider's tow rope release mechanism activated without the pilot's command. He lowered the nose, regained airspeed, turned left, and landed in sagebrush, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and right aileron. During the post accident investigation, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector was able to cause an uncommanded release of the tow rope an additional two times by tugging on it. The tow release's time in service exceeded the manufacturer's recommended replacement interval. The manufacturer's service recommendations are not regulatory or mandated unless specifically written into the operating limitations for the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08LA242 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 23, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Truckee, California
- Nearest airport
- Truckee-Tahoe (TRK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
DG-100G
- N-number
- N132S
- Category
- Glider
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.