PA25 experienced an engine seizure at 800 ft during a glider tow. The glider releases and the report...

Narrative:

Had been towing gliders in a piper pawnee for over an hour and completed around 8 tows. During the tow prior to incident; noticed a minor vibration in the pilot's seat at 3;300 ft and full power. When glider released; changed power settings and vibration went away. Landed and did a full run up and magneto check. Oil pressure and oil temperature were in the green. Both magnetos were working well. Hooked up to the next glider and took off with the glider on tow. Noticed excessive vibrations at 100 ft AGL. No usable runway left ahead; so I continued climb. I did not check oil pressure at that time. Maintained best angle of climb and continued pulling the glider up and straight out from the runway. At 800 ft AGL; the engine seized and the propeller abruptly stopped [without] warning. Immediately waived off the glider while pushing the nose of the aircraft down to maintain airspeed. Glider released [and I] made a 180 degree turn toward the departure runway. Maintained glide speed and took note of rate of decent vs. Distance to the airport. Determined [that I was able to] make the runway. Radioed CTAF that engine was out and landed without incident; opposite the direction of takeoff. Cause of engine failure to be determined by mechanic; known to be something to do with the oil or lack of it. After landing; there was oil dripping from the cowling. Before takeoff; the oil level was correct and the oil pressure was in the green. I should have watched oil pressure more closely during takeoff roll.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA25 experienced an engine seizure at 800 FT during a glider tow. The glider releases and the reporter is able to land opposite direction on the departure runway.

Narrative: Had been towing gliders in a Piper Pawnee for over an hour and completed around 8 tows. During the tow prior to incident; noticed a minor vibration in the pilot's seat at 3;300 FT and full power. When glider released; changed power settings and vibration went away. Landed and did a full run up and magneto check. Oil pressure and oil temperature were in the green. Both magnetos were working well. Hooked up to the next glider and took off with the glider on tow. Noticed excessive vibrations at 100 FT AGL. No usable runway left ahead; so I continued climb. I did not check oil pressure at that time. Maintained best angle of climb and continued pulling the glider up and straight out from the runway. At 800 FT AGL; the engine seized and the propeller abruptly stopped [without] warning. Immediately waived off the glider while pushing the nose of the aircraft down to maintain airspeed. Glider released [and I] made a 180 degree turn toward the departure runway. Maintained glide speed and took note of rate of decent vs. distance to the airport. Determined [that I was able to] make the runway. Radioed CTAF that engine was out and landed without incident; opposite the direction of takeoff. Cause of engine failure to be determined by Mechanic; known to be something to do with the oil or lack of it. After landing; there was oil dripping from the cowling. Before takeoff; the oil level was correct and the oil pressure was in the green. I should have watched oil pressure more closely during takeoff roll.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	958438
Time
Date	201107
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-25 Pawnee
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Route In Use	None
Component
Aircraft Component	Reciprocating Engine Assembly
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 800 Flight Crew Type 100
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

PA25 experienced an engine seizure at 800 ft during a glider tow. The glider releases and the reporter is able to land opposite direction on the departure runway.