Pilot Debrief

Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4M near Ephrata, WA — 2008-05-04

Final reportSEA08CA122
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Date
2008-05-04
Location
Ephrata, WA, USA
Airport
KEPH
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4M
Registration
N747JN
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to connect the left aileron control rod during assembly.

NTSB narrative

This was the first flight after removal of the glider from storage and its reassembly. The pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb, the glider started to roll to the left despite his control inputs. He decided to abort the takeoff and land straight ahead while attempting to maintain control of the powered glider. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground, and the glider began to cartwheel. Examination of the airframe revealed that the left and right wings were structurally damaged and the empennage was partially separated. Examination of the flight control system revealed that the left aileron connecting rod was disconnected at the fuselage/wing quick connection point and was undamaged. The pilot stated that during assembly of the glider prior to the flight, the left aileron control tube was inadvertently not attached, and that he did not verify that all flight controls moved free and correct prior to takeoff.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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