ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 69790
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| Date: | Monday 13 October 1997 |
| Time: | 17:30 LT |
| Type: |  Schweizer SGS 1-26A |
| Owner/operator: | Gayle P. Lathrop |
| Registration: | N1154N |
| MSN: | 056 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1725 hours |
| Engine model: | Continental%20IO-520-D%2826%29 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Fairfield, PA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Before takeoff, the pilot installed the wings and tail on the glider. During the takeoff, just after the glider became airborne, it pitched up vertically. After the tow rope was released the nose dropped, and the glider impacted the ground. Examination of the glider revealed that the control cables were rigged in reverse and the elevator control bell-crank located in the aft end of the fuselage was installed inverted from its normal position. About 8 days prior to the accident an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspector authorization performed an annual inspection which included a statement, 'AC assembled and rigged.' At that time, the complete elevator assembly was not installed. The pilot completed the elevator installation after the annual inspection. Prior to the flight, the pilot was asked by a witness if he had performed a 'positive control check' of the primary flight controls, which the pilot stated 'yes.'
Probable Cause: The improper installation of the elevator cables and elevator control bell-crank by the pilot, and an inadequate annual inspection by the mechanic. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight of the flight controls prior to takeoff.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB NYC98LA011
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 02-Nov-2009 02:33 | DColclasure | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:25 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 08-Apr-2024 12:15 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Cn, Operator, Other fatalities, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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