Towplane Engine Failure

[@DaveKammeyer]

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...

[@g36pilot92]

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!

[@ugablackice]

Tow plane: we’ve lost power. Shit

[@Parawingdelta2]

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

[@eclecticinterests721]

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.

[@highdfire]

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

[@MWM254]

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.

[@12345fowler]

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.

[@penrynbigbird]

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.

[@aerialexplorer772]

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).

[@stevenkenney9473]

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.

[@TinselKoala]

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

[@andycopland3179]

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.

[@GizmoRob176]

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

[@Starbuckin]

Great composure, professionalism, control, and landing!

[@datnotme6284]

That was amazing skill put to practice, such perfection! As a SEP Pilot, you Glider pilots seem like gods to me!

[@Lehmann108]

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!

[@longjohncrypto688]

Awesome job. Kudos to both pilots for landing safely.

[@TonyTube407]

Talk about a short final runway 20!

[@GeneralChangFromDanang]

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