Pilot Debrief

SCHEMPP-HIRTH NIMBUS 3/24.5 near Wallis, TX — 2014-06-06

Final reportCEN14CA280
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Date
2014-06-06
Location
Wallis, TX, USA
Airport
TE71
Aircraft
SCHEMPP-HIRTH NIMBUS 3/24.5
Registration
N245AB
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain direction control of the glider during takeoff in gusty wind conditions.

NTSB narrative

The glider pilot reported that he was to be towed by a tow plane and make a "no assist launch." The glider's wings were loosely supported by wing stands and the tow rope was attached from the tow plane to the glider. When the slack was out of the tow rope, the glider pilot made a radio call "Go, go, go" to the tow pilot. The glider began to lift off from the grass runway when pilot noticed that the tow plane moved left laterally from what he assumed was a gust of wind. The tow pilot corrected back to the right and the glider pilot readied to do the same. When the glider entered the area of suspected wind gust, it suddenly ascended about 8 feet and the left wing lifted. The pilot applied full left aileron and left rudder and forward pressure on the control stick in order to descend and regain the correct flight path. The left wing continued to lift so the glider pilot released the tow rope as the glider made a 30 degree right turn. The glider exited the area of suspected wind gust and the glider pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the glider impacted the runway. The glider sustained substantial damage to the rear fuselage and empennage. He also reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Tow pilot could have maintained a more stable tow during launch.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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