Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the towrope during the initial climb out.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After a normal winch launch, the towrope broke about 300 feet above ground. The pilot made a shallow approach due to the low altitude, and was forced to land the glider at an angle to the runway. The glider skidded off the runway where it struck a parked truck that was about 75 feet from the runway edge.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 22, 2007, at 1555 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N65844, veered off the runway following a forced landing and struck a truck at the Los Alamitos (SLI) airport, Los Alamitos, California. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) operated the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The glider sustained substantial damage to the nose area. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time. According to the pilot, at 300 feet above the ground, the towrope broke. He made turns to land on the dirt runway, but was not able to align the glider with the runway. According to the CAP representative, a normal winch launch had been initiated. The tow rope broke at a low altitude, and the pilot made a short approach and landing. The glider landed at an angle and skidded off the runway where it struck a truck parked about 75 feet off the runway edge.