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NTSB Report
April 12, 1985 · Cirrus Standard Cirrus Standard C · N494BZ
Woodbine, MD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Woodbine, MD
Aircraft
Cirrus Standard Cirrus Standard C
Tail Number
N494BZ
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85LA034
DURING TAKEOFF, THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB AT AN UNUSUALLY STEEP ATTITUDE. THEN AT ABOUT 75 FT AGL (APRX 50 ABOVE THE TOW PLANE), THE GLIDER RELEASED FROM THE TOW ROPE.ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS, THE ACFT MAINTAINED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THEN PITCHED NOSE DOWN, ROTATED TO THE LEFT & STRUCK THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING & NOSE. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & COULD NOT RECALL DETAILS CONCERNING THE FLT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE MAJORITY OF THE PLT'S PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WAS IN A GROB SAILPLANE WHICH HAD DIFFERENT HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS. DURING TAKEOFF IN THE STANDARD CIRRUS, ITS NOSE WOULD CHARACTERISTICALLY RISE BY ITSELF. HOWEVER, IN THE GROB, THE PLT SHOULD APPLY BACK PRESSURE ON THE ELEVATOR CONTROL TO ACHIEVE A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN THE STANDARD CIRRUS IN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS.
Full Narrative
DURING TAKEOFF, THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB AT AN UNUSUALLY STEEP ATTITUDE. THEN AT ABOUT 75 FT AGL (APRX 50 ABOVE THE TOW PLANE), THE GLIDER RELEASED FROM THE TOW ROPE.ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS, THE ACFT MAINTAINED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THEN PITCHED NOSE DOWN, ROTATED TO THE LEFT & STRUCK THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING & NOSE. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & COULD NOT RECALL DETAILS CONCERNING THE FLT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE MAJORITY OF THE PLT'S PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WAS IN A GROB SAILPLANE WHICH HAD DIFFERENT HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS. DURING TAKEOFF IN THE STANDARD CIRRUS, ITS NOSE WOULD CHARACTERISTICALLY RISE BY ITSELF. HOWEVER, IN THE GROB, THE PLT SHOULD APPLY BACK PRESSURE ON THE ELEVATOR CONTROL TO ACHIEVE A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN THE STANDARD CIRRUS IN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:59 EST
Nearest AirportWoodbine Drop Zone (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCirrus Standard Cirrus Standard C
Tail NumberN494BZ
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNK · Unknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC