AAIB Report: Eurofox 2K, G-CMAX
Eurofox 2K (G-CMAX), loss of control shortly after takeoff, Talgarth Airfield, Powys, 27 December 2025
G-CMAX final resting position – note tow rope trailing over foliage in the right of the image
Immediately after takeoff, the tug aircraft in a glider-tug launch combination rolled, uncommanded, to approximately 60° left wing down. The glider disconnected and landed safely ahead, but the tug aircraft turned left and touched down within the airfield boundary before becoming airborne again. Control of the aircraft was then lost and it struck the ground in an adjacent field. The sole pilot was seriously injured.
The wind at the time of the accident was fully across the runway in use and may have been above the crosswind limit of the aircraft. Turbulence encountered by the aircraft during the flight immediately before the accident indicated that the air mass over the runway was unstable and is likely to have been so during the accident flight, probably causing the initial roll and subsequent loss of control.
As a result of this accident the gliding club improved the weather reporting system to provide more accessible and accurate wind measurements to pilots and began work to improve the safety culture at the gliding club.