SZ23 Glider (C-GFMN) – From the Investigator

The accident flight was part of the Air Cadet Gliding Program in Centralia, ON in support of spring glider familiarization flying operations. The glider crew consisted of a pilot and a cadet passenger.

The occurrence pilot was conducting their third glider flight of the day, their third glider flight for the calendar year. The first two flights consisted of check flights to validate pilot proficiency, followed by a passenger familiarization flight.

The takeoff from Taxiway 34 proceeded normally until the tow rope inadvertently detached from the glider. The premature rope release occurred near the departure end of the takeoff taxiway. The aircraft manoeuvred right, then left towards the end of Taxiway 34, and the left wing struck the ground while in the left turn. The glider nose and fuselage firmly contacted the asphalt near the end of Taxiway 34 and the right wing subsequently contacted the ground.

The aircraft sustained very serious damage and both occupants received minor injuries.

The investigation is focusing on human, operational, and technical factors.