3. Blanik L-13 ACCIDENT PIC was a 52 year old private pilot with approximately 450 hours total time and 4 hours in the L-13. Pilot was giving a young person his first aircraft ride. At 1100 feet AGL the tow plane signaled the glider that his spoilers were out. He released and returned to the airfield. Landed hard. Aircraft totaled - no injuries.

4. PIC comments Pilot was in the cockpit checking his controls. “ wing runner raised the wing.” tow pilot saw wings level and him moving his rudder. Takeoff started without him finishing his checklist. At approximately 1,000 feet tow plane signaled a glider problem.

5. Pilot’s Comments continued Mistook tow plane signal and released. At 900 to 1000 ft. AGL he headed directly to the airfield and “did GUMPS check”. GUMPS? Feels he “touched the flap handle” to confirm spoilers closed. At mid-field he was 600 AGL, decided to fly a normal downwind.

6. Pilot’s Comments continued He noted he was “losing altitude faster than expected and turned base sooner than planned.” He “decided to land cross runway.”

7. The Mishap Chain A series of events leading up to the accident. One break in the chain could have prevented the accident. 1. Wing runner raised the wing. Was he properly trained. Did he give the take-off signal? Was the PIC using him as an excuse?

8. The Mishap Chain 2. Tow pilot procedures. Highly experienced. In a hurry? Radio backup to the signals? Did the towplane signal ready?

9. The Mishap Chain 3. Pilots decision to continue the takeoff. PIC has the ultimate control - Release handle. 4. Tow plane airborne signal. PIC responsible to known the American Standard Soaring Signals. 5. GUMPS check. (How’d he get past G?) What happened to USTALL? 600 feet above ground level at mid-field. 6. Touchdown.

10. Mishap Anatomy Distraction - Count on them. Lack of Knowledge - is Life Insurance. Lack of Training - Identify your weak areas and fix. Lack of Proficiency - Skills have to be recharged. Preparation is the key. When I am totally prepared my flying is more FUN.