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NTSB Report
May 26, 1982 · Schleicher ASW-15 · N77BZ
Plymouth, CT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plymouth, CT
Aircraft
Schleicher ASW-15
Tail Number
N77BZ
Operator
Jonathan T Mead
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC82DA106
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE RUDDER PEDALS CLICK INTO THEIR DETENTED/LOCKED POSITION WHEN THEY WERE ADJUSTED BEFORE TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, WHILE BEING TOWED FOR TAKEOFF, THE RUDDER PEDALS SLIPPED FORWARD ABOUT 1 TO 2 INCHES. THE PILOT REACHED DOWN WITH HIS LEFT HAND TO PULL THE RUDDER ADJUST KNOB AND REPOSITION THE RUDDER PEDALS. HOWEVER, HE INADVERTENTLY PULLED THE TOW RELEASE KNOB WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 3 INCHES TO THE LEFT OF THE RUDDER ADJUST KNOB. THE TOW ROPE WAS RELEASED WHEN HE ABOUT 200 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AT ABOUT 15 FT AGL AND 55 KNOTS. SINCE THERE WERE TREES AROUND THE END OF THE RUNWAY, HE PULLED UP AND TURNED RIGHT IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND IN A CLEAR AREA ON ANOTHER PART OF THE AIRPORT. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE CLEARING AND CRASHED IN THE TREES.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE RUDDER PEDALS CLICK INTO THEIR DETENTED/LOCKED POSITION WHEN THEY WERE ADJUSTED BEFORE TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, WHILE BEING TOWED FOR TAKEOFF, THE RUDDER PEDALS SLIPPED FORWARD ABOUT 1 TO 2 INCHES. THE PILOT REACHED DOWN WITH HIS LEFT HAND TO PULL THE RUDDER ADJUST KNOB AND REPOSITION THE RUDDER PEDALS. HOWEVER, HE INADVERTENTLY PULLED THE TOW RELEASE KNOB WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 3 INCHES TO THE LEFT OF THE RUDDER ADJUST KNOB. THE TOW ROPE WAS RELEASED WHEN HE ABOUT 200 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AT ABOUT 15 FT AGL AND 55 KNOTS. SINCE THERE WERE TREES AROUND THE END OF THE RUNWAY, HE PULLED UP AND TURNED RIGHT IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND IN A CLEAR AREA ON ANOTHER PART OF THE AIRPORT. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE CLEARING AND CRASHED IN THE TREES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:03 EDT
Nearest AirportWaterbury (0nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchleicher ASW-15
Tail NumberN77BZ
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJonathan T Mead
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 0 C
Altimeter0