Tow Out Gear Accidents

Editors Note: Even when taking precautions tow out gear accidents happen. A report from this accident pictured above. " I heard a metallic sound and saw a wing lift in the rearview mirror, so stopped the pickup. Immediately its left-wing smashed against the tailgate while the tail went swiftly past the driver-side window and slammed into the front fender. Putting this together analytically, a powerful whirlwind (dust devil, if there had been dust) had pounced. The tail dolly had been split at the hinges, releasing the glider to be driven forward."

Tow Out Gear Accidents

I should start with a disclaimer. I run Yankee Composites a repair station, specializing in composite sailplanes. I also am the US Representative for Schempp-Hirth. The disclaimer is if you don’t follow this advice I can help you purchase your new glider or help you fix your broken one.

SLOW THE F&)K DOWN

If you can’t walk along the side of your car while towing, you are going too fast. If your windows are up with the radio on, you probably are not paying attention to what is going on outside.

Tow out gear is very convenient you do not have to walk your wing like it is 1960. It is also great job security for me. I have yet to be at a contest where something was not damaged by the tow out gear. This damage not limited to, split elevators, split rudders, removed rudders, aileron damage, runway lights plucked from the ground, corporate jets grounded, hangers scratched (the winglet suffered worse), broken rear windows.

Treat it like you mean it

Your 40 yr old glider that you inspect every year, you keep in a hanger and never leave it outside, is well taken care of. I have written in the past about neglecting your trailer. But I have never mentioned the tow out gear you leave out in the rain and sun when you fly, toss into the back of the car when not using, drop in the ground when you remove from the glider, you know those three pieces you do not treat as well as your glider.

You somehow imagine that those Home Depot latches and hinges riveted through a few layers of glass are going to perform miracles and stay together all these years? When a hinge is held in by 3 rivets and 2 are clearly lose, you are playing on borrowed time. You are towing your $260,000 glider hoping that 6 rivets don’t snatch right out.

Pay attention to where you are going. Drive with windows down, paying attention in the mirrors, remember your car might be 2 meters wide, but the glider behind you is 15 meters. Even after the driver asked me “Are we clear?” I looked out the window and said “Yes", we still hit a post. I still have nightmares of that fateful drive. (editors note: I still have the FAI SGP flag from that post you hit as a souvenir.)

The land speed record was an ASG29 in Finland full of water approaching 30mph. The entire grid watched in anticipation. It was uneventful this time but would have been epic.

WIND

There is nothing sexier than the Concordia towing out to the grid with its 2 wing wheels. Those of us that don’t want two wing wheels many times hang a gallon of water or a parachute on the tip to help keep the weight on that wing wheel.

There is a lot of surface area. One taxiway you might have a crosswind from the left holding the wing wheel on the ground the next might be trying to lift it up. This is bad. Now the glider is leaning over and dragging on that wing. Putting a lot of side load on the tail dolly and those 6 rivets.

Brakes

Slamming on the brakes puts all that side load and now all the rolling mass and moves it forward. Something might give, and the glider tail goes crashing into the car. Composite gliders are strong but they are not built for impacts on the control surface backwards...

As you see the wing rotating slow down you can stop before it hits the ground. This should be easy because you are only going at a walking pace.

Thanks for your time, everyone! Your new tow out gear is available from Wings and Wheels, and your expensive repair (Closely followed by new tow out gear) is available from Yankee Composites!

Banner Photo taken by Daniel L Johnson

 Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.