Pilot Debrief

SCHEMPP HIRTH FLUGZEUGBAU GMBH ARCUS M near Richfield, UT — 2018-06-21

Final reportWPR18LA177
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Date
2018-06-21
Location
Richfield, UT, USA
Airport
U14
Aircraft
SCHEMPP HIRTH FLUGZEUGBAU GMBH ARCUS M
Registration
N16DN
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

An inflight loss of control and subsequent inflight breakup for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the glider reported that he was circling in thermal lift, approaching an altitude of 17,000 feet mean sea level, when one of the rudder pedals "slammed back" and threw his foot off the pedal, accompanied by a "thud" sound. The pilot reported that there was no change in the glider's yaw, pitch, or bank angle, but that he was unable to move the rudder pedals. Shortly thereafter, the glider's bank angle and speed began to increase, and the pilot applied corrective actions; however, he was unable to recover. The pilot instructed the passenger to bail out, and as he jettisoned the canopy, the glider began to break up. The pilot and passenger egressed and landed under parachute, incurring minor injuries. Postaccident examination of the recovered wreckage, including the flight control system, revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction or anomalies. Based on the available information, the reason for the inflight loss of control could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked rudder control before flight to prevent failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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