N59WM

On June 17, 2000, about 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schleicher AS20, N59WM, collided with a fence on an aero tow takeoff from a dirt field near Coleville, California. The sailplane, owned and operated by the commercial pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The commercial glider pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The cross-country recreational flight originated from Truckee-Tahoe, California, airport at 1230.

After the tow takeoff from Truckee-Tahoe airport, the pilot reported that he lost lift and decided to make a precautionary landing in a field. Upon learning that there was a soaring club located nearby, he made contact with the club and requested an airplane tow out of the field. During the takeoff the tow plane collided with a fence. The sailplane released, overflew the tow plane by 2 to 4 feet, traveled across a road, and collided with another fence.