To answer some questions that have come up: It's hard to hear, but the tow pilot made a radio call just before I released saying that he needed me off. At that point, we were already descending. I was in a DG-1000, so my 50:1 glide ratio beat the Pawnee's 7:1. It seemed gentlemanly to let him land first. I didn't want to just follow him and extend the downwind though, because there's a cliff at the end of that runway that can generate very strong downdrafts, so I did the zigzag pattern to give him enough time to land, and minimize my exposure to the potential downdrafts. I'm figuring this all out in the few seconds after the release though, so you can hear a little hesitation in my voice.... It was important to get this out on the radio ASAP because that Cessna was ready to take off, and wasn't expecting two planes to drop out of the sky and take his runway. Some people speculated that this was just a normal high density altitude takeoff. Density altitude that day was about 8500 feet, but this is a 260 hp Pawnee, and normally this is no problem. Without going into detail, the engine required some work before it could fly again...

24,000 hrs here and still flying which only means I survived it and NOT that I am an "expert" in any venue. Here are a couple of thoughts on this video and the responses. 1) It's to easy to critique on social media and more importantly... 2) If you haven't been tested in a similar situation, you have no clue how you will react. Train, prepare, and you too will have the extremely successful outcome of these two pilots. Absolutely a great job!

Tow plane: we’ve lost power. Shit Glider: bruh

From a fellow pilot (glider, SEL, Instrument) ...... Great job dealing with the unexpected early termination of your aerotow.. Your episode shows the wisdom of all those simulated rope breaks at 200 ft during take-off required during glider training. Glider training probably saved my life and the live of my passenger 12 year old son. As a very new power pilot, only 10 flight hrs after getting my single engine land license I suffered a engine failure in a rented Beachcraft Skipper (BE77) just as I was nearing the boarder of Des Moines class C airspace making radio call announcing that I was 10 miles out inbound to DSM Suddenly there was loss of power and the engine was shaking so badly that it felt like it was going to rip the nose off. The shaking was so violent and rapid that it was impossible to read any instrument gauge and we were being thrown side to side in our seats. Immediately I shut the engine down and in mid radio call changed my announcement of being inbound into a distress call, engine failure. Because of my glider training I immediately lowered the nose to maintain flying speed. We were about 3500 ft AGL. As per glider training I maintained best glide speed and began seeking a landing spot. Unlike pilots trained in power planes only, I was never tempted to try to maintain altitude by raising the nose - which leads to stall / spin fatalities. I noticed immediately that the BE77 with its engine off felt very familiar, with a sink rate of about 500 ft/min, much like the Schweitzer 2-33 training glider with spoilers half deployed. From glider training I was very familiar with checking angles and the effect of wind on progress across the ground. DSM ATC vectored a highway patrol aircraft towards me to "see where I would crash". I asked ATC for the CTAF (common traffic area frequency) for Ankeny airport which was closer than Des Moines to my location at that moment. I made radio calls on the frequency they gave me (but nobody at Ankeny heard me as ATC had given me the wrong frequency!) I Continued towards Ankeny airport all the while picking out other potential off airport landing spots (in corn fields) . I arrived over the downwind end of the Ankeny runway with insufficient altitude to fly a pattern but too high for a normal approach. The BE77 has fairlly ineffective flaps so I needed other ways to get down while controlling speed. Bingo glider training kicked in again as I did a steep slip to landing (which had not been taught during power training). We touched down normally though a bit fast with the tail wind so heavier than usual braking was required. Because no one heard my radio calls due to the incorrect frequency I had been given, another aircraft turned onto the runway in an upwind direction as I was rolling out downwind. His eyes got pretty big. Aircraft in distress has he right of way. It was later determined that a push rod in the engine had broken. Despite the equipment failure Elliott Aircraft who I had rented the plane from still charged me the rental fee. I will always feel indebted to the glider instructors I had trained with earlier. Once again great job in handling your emergency. And I am mildly jealous that you get t fly a DG-1000. Enjoy!

To me, the result is testimony to the airmanship. Well done; great video.

Very cool and collected... It looked as tho' you were just shooting odd patterns (!) Never heard the radio call. Nice work.

That happened to me as a young glider pilot student, too. I was in an ASK21 behind a Wilga, when its engine suddenly stopped due to fuel starvation. Well, he did make one take off to much. Luckily he could land on a field and so my instructor counted this as an unforeseen cable rupture practise.

I had a tug failure on my second glider solo, and this video is reminiscent of it, although mine was more sudden. The large bow in the tow rope was the first sign of trouble, followed by the tug aircraft wagging its wings to tell me to release and land (which I did, downwind).

We camp at Martis Campground frequently and listen to the tower when at camp. We hear reference to 'white-tow' and 'green-tow' all the time. Glad it all worked out for you guys. It's great entertainment for this hang glider pilot to watch and listen to the soaring activities at Truckee.

No criticism here! This was done professionally and in an emergency situation in a high traffic area. This couldn't have gone better. True professionals.

Stellar job and good quick decision making. I used to tow a lot and I was going to say I was (un) impressed by weak initial climb, then read about density where you were. Still I am amazed that a 260 H.P. Pawnee could not climg better than that. I used to tow with a Robin 400 mostly and the climb was quite good but even less than a Pawnee which is one of the best tow plane.

I can't believe you were able to make a 270 into landing, that wing is incredible. I miss flying, but I smiled when you got the turbulence off the runway because I used to fly parachutes and hot runways under canopy can be wild.

Excellent video and top comment. As a high time tow pilot and glider CFI I can state that there were a lot of things done absolutely right in this event. Kudos to all involved. I am even impressed with the accurate flying on tow by both pilots. (This is harder than it looks.) While the top comment explains everything I thought I'd add a bit for the less experienced viewers and commenters. No waveoff from the towplane? In radio contact with the glider it's a whole lot easier to just key the mic and ask for release. Especially if you are not climbing well and you're a little slow, you might not want to waggle the wings just then. And of course the problem with the glider wasn't being too _low_ for an easy return to base but actually, at 50 to 1, being a bit too _high_. The towplane drops like a clipped-wing rock in comparison so not only is it the "gentlemanly thing" for it to land first, it would actually be pretty difficult for the glider to beat him down. The fast final worked out well as it allowed a "taxi" up to the right hand turnoff but I was a little worried about that gravel berm up there. Many thousands of tows in all kinds of towplanes including 260 hp Pawnee, and I've only had to wave off one glider due to towplane problems. That was in a 180hp Bellanca Scout that blew an oil seal and I couldn't see out the windshield. I have dumped a couple due to obvious problems in the sailplane being towed, like unlocked spoilers and no radio contact. And I've only been waved off once for real in a glider... and that was when the designated FAA pilot examiner flying the 180 hp SuperCub _ran out of gas_ while towing me and his employee CFI on a checkride in a 2-33. No kidding.

That is f'ing incredible! Great job of flying of both pilots with deadsticks. Thoroughly impressed. Cool under pressure. Thanks for posting.

Great composure, professionalism, control, and landing!

Awesome job. Kudos to both pilots for landing safely.

Talk about a short final runway 20!

Nice job! Watching the video it was sort of freaking me out how your tow was not gaining altitude fast enough. Our gliding port uses the same type of tow plane and he hauls us up like we're in an elevator!

That was amazing skill put to practice, such perfection! As a SEP Pilot, you Glider pilots seem like gods to me! Edit: that Joe guy though, a real hero, reading your other comments!

Glider pilots are trained to know their safe landings areas during all stages of launch, especially if you have ever trained with Cindy B. Great job by all!

Nice job,pilot-calm and cool....and that's why we practice lol never had that happen but I had a rope break once-no big deal,we were already up 2500' ,in a 2-33 with the field in easy reach,flew a normal pattern and approach

that further explanation helped. I was wondering because I couldn't hear the radio call for release and the pan pan or mayday call.

Nice final approach :-)

nicely done!

First time I've seen a glider towing a glider.

We had a similar incident at Herlong Airport Jacksonville FL around 2005. Several years prior to this we had a prop strike with the Pawnee hitting an airport sign. The engine and propeller were professionally overhauled and put back into service. Years later a 14 year old student is on his first solo when the Pawnee loses power. We’re quickly on the handheld radio telling the student to release; the tow pilot also releases and the tow rope went down in the trees never to be seen again. The engine is vibrating so badly that the tow pilot is worried it will break free of the engine mount. He does a perfect Bob Hoover power off landing rolling out within 50’ of the Pawnee tie down spot. The prop had lost about 8” off the blade. Meanwhile the student landed and left with his parent and never came back.

Well done. It shows that if you are prepared, have trained, you do not spend too much time thinking. Assessing the situation, height and distance, staying cool and proceed as trained. In hindsight one always finds a small piece one could have done better. I had some ropes break over 25+ years, most of them winch cables though. After every single one I thought I could have done different, mane better. But nothing bent, everyone safe, that is what counts in the end. You saved a potentially dangerous situation very well. Good airmanship. 👍👍

Haven't flown a glider in 20+ years (except one 'trial lesson' flight to see if I still could). Didn't catch the 'I need you off' but the accent, from memory, seemed sluggish and the audio didn't sound 'quite right' first impression; the tug pilot knew he had a problem but extended the flight long enough to give the glider enough altitude to work with, very professional all round :-)

Impressive display. Thank you for sharing!

Great result, keep up your averages, ie, "the same number of takeoffs as landings"

Had that happen to me except I was the guy flying the tow plane; a PA-18 Super Cub. It happened just over the fence on departure at about 200 feet. Happily, it was a fuel contamination issue and as soon as I switched tanks, the engine started to turn well again. I assume this video is from the USA since all glider airports-that I have worked out of anyway- here in Canada, are grass strips.

It looked as though the tow plane was in trouble from the moment he started his takeoff roll. Even if he wasn't towing a glider, and if it was a hot day at high altitude, think he should have abandoned the take off. Good recovery man.

Nice flying and quick thinking.

Awsome job by glider pilot. We have had 7 aircraft crashes here in CT in the last year including a tow plane and glider. You did an amazing job getting passenger and yourself back to runway 2-0. I'm extremely disappointed in the communication from your tow, he could have easily brought the both of you down due to lack of communication. I tell you what, excellent thinking on the fly (no pun intended) and staying calm, cool and collected. Excellent vid bud and I wish you the best of luck in the future. Lastly I didn't see your tow after disconnecting, I hope he had a safe return as well.

The shrieking in audio made for temporary deafness.....Good video...at what point did the glider realize a problem? I was wondering about the 5 foot per minute climb rate at the end of runway. Is this normal for a towed craft?

Gravity never loses. The best we can hope for is a draw.

Having towed gliders for several years with a Pawnee, let we assure you who haven’t flown one, they sink power off like a polished safe. An engine failure was always my greatest fear.

Total non pilot asking a question here. I had never even heard of a winch launch, so I Googled it and watched a video of one. Here's my question: 1,000 feet for a glider doesn't seem like a lot of altitude, everything considered (having to pattern back in for landing, etc.) Once you get in the air, are you able to hit uprising heat currents that lift you higher in the air and keep your flight going for a longer period of time. Fascinating to watch. Great job to both pilots landing in a very nasty situation.

В Леверкузене у тягача мотор отказал и пилот попросил планёра отстегнуться. Тягач ушёл в лесной массив напротив взлетной полосы. У пилота не было вообще никакого шанса вытянуть на какую либо полянку. Планеристу не оставалось ничего другого как смотреть вслед уходящему в деревья коллеге . Последующая коробочка и посадка были наверняка не самыми лёгкими в его жизни . Земля пухом камрадам 👍

I had this happen to me, Cessna 172 tow plane blew an oil line and gave the release wave off and dove back to the field trailing black smoke, looked almost a scene from a WW2 dog fight. All good, no injuries or loss of aircraft, except perhaps soiled shorts of the tow pilot, lol

Started with one glider needing to land....now we have 2.

When was that last cleaned?!

i didnt see where the towplane went did he land on the same runway?

Nice flying, interesting vid.

good action, giving the towplane the space to land first, Good thinking!

Very nice handling and touchdown, radio calls, etc.

Pawnee seemed to lose some power after right after initial takeoff. I'm suspecting that it's engine suffered a stuck or broken valve or other cylinder problem. That usually results in a sudden power rollback accompanied by engine shaking and very often happens right after takeoff. This Pawnee has a six-cylinder Lycoming IO-540 so the power loss and vibration are not quite as drastic as they are in a four-cylinder engine but it'll still get real tense in a glider towing situation.

So what happened to the tow plane? I didn't see it on the field. Did he put it down off the field?? Everyone okay??

Do you ever climb after take off or just wander a lot at the same height ?

Wow! Never thought a glider would tow a glider

Is this Tehachapi? I have flown a glider from there once before. I think it was a Grob.

Glider pilots are just the best. Energy management!

dude i did gliding lessons there

Oh no the engine has failed on the plane ahead of the glider u are in mate

It’s crazy how the tow plane drops like a rock. Glide ratio ftw!

This maybe a dumb question. But is it possible for gliders to have ultra light engines so they could takeoff themselves? Or - at least - have powered backup?

Many planes are waiting close as far as I can see here...you had luck with taking that runway

Brilliant flying!!

ME: Uhhh, ATC, this is 1CH, MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, we have an engine failure, squawk 7700. ATC: But... you are a glider... ME: Any problem????

I see gliders being towed over my land all the time. Nice to see their perspective. I will stop waving at them.

Nicely done.

Lol at the expert pilots in the comments

please enlighten... So... a potentially bad situation for the tug but what's so bad for the Hangaron? A premature release sure...but what?

Amazing job.

looks like a busy lil airport

I assume your friend in the Pawnee made it back as well?

Great job!

now the Tow is a glider too xD

As a matter of interest, in an emergency can the towplane pilot release the towline from the plane? And if he did that, wouldn't the weight and drag of the line cause the glider to nose down and crash?

Darn fine job!!

Looks like a thrush cropduster tow plane?

I have been caught with an 0320 engine failure at 500ft after take-off but managerd to do a wing over 180deg turn back to the runway. One has to discuss an 0320 failure with the Aircraft Engineer who signed it off. However it was a genuiun total failure with a Carb., problem and fuel feed. Rather odd really. Searched around in ones mind to think of a similar situation, I can't say I have seen or heard of an. 0320 failing on take -off. I have had an 0320 run rough to idle at 1200ft.Was able to put the aeroplane back on the ground. Problem carb., failure.

Shortest short final I have seen lately.

Where is this?

Thanks to our new super dimona motorsegler at EDFZ having engine ‘issues’ a few years back we had a few aborted aerotow. Well done to get everyone back on the ground without further adventure.

Camel towing?

Been there done that! I was actually more concerned about the tow plane pilot we were further out. Unfortunately he was killed a few months later while towing an idiot that porpoised up low to the ground pulling his tail up. Kind of ironic to me Kurt the tow pilot once told me I was an overly cautious pilot, then gets killed very sad he was young.

Glider towing a glider.

Gone pretty far down the comments list. Where is this?

nice airmanship.

I call BS on this whole setup! As a former tow Pilot my objective was to get as much attitude as possible in a given distance. The pawnee Driver did not do that he drug the glider over the departure runway at low altitude but kept it close enough for the Glider to drop off and be in position of a landing on another runway

Scarier than the glider and wounded plane are the comments. Can't ANYONE bother to read? I too had questions. But Dave's first post answered them all.

Nice work all around

great skills

What's that round hole?

This is at Truckee (trtk) airport

Nice moves

What airport is this?

Whoa! Imagine if, both the tow plane and the glider had an engine failure 😳

so did the tow plane follow the proper safety procedures????

Good job reacting under pressure. All the armchair pilots in here need to shut up. Everyone landed and walked away. Job well done!

call final over runway

Why did you drive onto the grass?

Didnt read the publishers comment till later, but just before that first right bank....im not a pilot here, but juust did not look right.

Truckee airport - my hometown.

nice .. respect also

I flew in a glider when I was little girl!

Hello! Is it possible to contact you regarding this video? (i.e. via email) I would love to discuss getting permission to use your video in a video production and for licensing in general if possible. Greetings!

Perfect

What ever happens just fly the damn plane