Why couldn’t the Cirrus pilot see and avoid the Pawnees tow line?
The tow lines are nearly invisible in the air. But despite the news reports, the Cirrus most likely collided with the Pawnee tow plane itself, not with the tow line. [The glider pilot has now confirmed to the NTSB that the Cirrus collided with the Pawnee’s fuselage, not the towline.] That explains the tremendous damage to the Cirrus and the Pawnee, and the immediate fireball that resulted, as reported by the glider pilot. Doesn’t the Cirrus have radar to help avoid other aircraft? No radar, but some Cirrus aircraft are equipped with other devices to detect and help avoid other traffic. That equipment is optional, however, and may not have been installed in this particular Cirrus. [Reports are that the Cirrus was not so equipped when it left the factory.] Even if it was installed, it only detects aircraft that have an operating transponder. Most gliders don’t have transponders. We don’t know whether the Pawnee’s transponder was on. What good is the Cirrus parachute if the aircraft burns
