1 fatal · PIPER PA 25-235 · 2017-10-07 · Front Royal, VA, USA
Event
NTSB number
ERA18FA006
Event ID
20171007X53946
Type
Accident
Date
2017-10-07
Location
Front Royal, VA, USA
Coordinates
38.920276, -78.263053
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
PIPER
Model
PA 25-235
Registration
N90866
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The tow plane pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the glider instructor's diversion of attention away from the tow airplane which resulted in his delay in releasing the tow rope once the tow plane was no longer visible from the glider cockpit.