December 16, El Paso, Texas / Schleicher ASW-24E

At 15:16 mountain time, a Schleicher ASW-24E glider crashed just south of the departure runway at West Texas Airport, seriously injuring the pilot. The tow pilot said the towrope broke at about 100 feet agl with about 5,000 feet of runway remaining. Instead of landing straight ahead, the glider began a turn to the right, with the bank estimated to be at least 90 degrees. The gliders left wing hit the dirt during the turn.