### Causes
- Release mechanism failure
- Incorrect [[Launch Equipment#Tow Rings]] used
- Towline tangled on some part of the aircraft
### Glider towhook release failure
- Notify the tow pilot using [[Visual Signals]], maintain [[Maintaining Tow Positions#High Tow Position]]
- Tow pilot should tow the glider over the airport and pull the towplane release; attempt to pull the glider release again when towline tension has been relieved
- Glider release **should** automatically back-release as the towline falls below the glider; to mitigate risk of towline remaining attached to the glider, follow procedure for [[Towline Break#Landing with towline attached]]
### Glider and towplane release failure
The situation must be confirmed by both pilots using [[Visual Signals]]. There are 2 possible courses of action:
- Towplane and glider land together; glider descends into [[Maintaining Tow Positions#Low Tow Position]], touches down first, and uses dive brakes and wheel brakes as needed to avoid overtaking the towplane on the ground
- Intentional [[Towline Break]] within gliding distance of the airport; glider climbs, abruptly dives to induce [[Slack Line]], then fully opens spoilers/dive brakes. Follow procedure for [[Towline Break#Landing with towline attached]]