Pilot Debrief

GLASFLUGEL H201B near Meadow Lake Airport, CO — 2009-05-04

Final reportCEN09LA278
Sign in to save
Date
2009-05-04
Location
Meadow Lake Airport, CO, USA
Airport
OOV
Aircraft
GLASFLUGEL H201B
Registration
N17TD
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A programming anomaly within the winch's computer aided launch control system, which incorrectly limited the maximum winch speed during launch of the glider.

NTSB narrative

The glider flight was being conducted to test the operation of a prototype winch launch system utilizing a computer aided launch control (CALC) hydrostatic system. During the launch, a programming anomaly within CALC limited the maximum winch speed to 32 miles per hour, causing the winch cable to release as the glider climbed away from the ground. The pilot pushed the nose of the glider down, but insufficient altitude was available to recover the glider. The glider impacted the runway in a level attitude, cracking the fuselage.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the launch when the glider stopped accelerating.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

Related mishaps