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NTSB Report
August 24, 1986 · Scheibe Flugzeugbau Bergfalke II-55 Bergfalke · N5924
Hutchinson, KS
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hutchinson, KS
Aircraft
Scheibe Flugzeugbau Bergfalke II-55 Bergfalke
Tail Number
N5924
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA174
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PERFORMED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A THOROUGH PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF THE HORIZONTAL TAIL, BEFORE HE PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT ONTO THE RUNWAY AND HOOKED THE TOW LINE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THE ELEVATOR CONTROLS DID NOT RESPOND TO HIS INPUTS AND HE ABORTED THE AERO TOWING OPERATION BY BREAKING AWAY FROM THE TOW AIRCRAFT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AS HE DEPLOYED THE DIVE BRAKES THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE GLIDER STRUCK THE RUNWAY WHERE IT BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR PUSH ROD HAD NOT BEEN ATTACHED PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. THE TOW PLANE WAS NOT DAMAGED.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PERFORMED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A THOROUGH PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF THE HORIZONTAL TAIL, BEFORE HE PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT ONTO THE RUNWAY AND HOOKED THE TOW LINE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THE ELEVATOR CONTROLS DID NOT RESPOND TO HIS INPUTS AND HE ABORTED THE AERO TOWING OPERATION BY BREAKING AWAY FROM THE TOW AIRCRAFT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AS HE DEPLOYED THE DIVE BRAKES THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE GLIDER STRUCK THE RUNWAY WHERE IT BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR PUSH ROD HAD NOT BEEN ATTACHED PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. THE TOW PLANE WAS NOT DAMAGED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 CDT
Nearest AirportSunflower Aerodrome (0nm N)
Runway17L
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftScheibe Flugzeugbau Bergfalke II-55 Bergfalke
Tail NumberN5924
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:47
Weather SourceWFAC