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September 2, 2007 · Slingsby Swallow Type T.45 · N7476

Hutchinson, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Hutchinson, KS
Aircraft
Slingsby Swallow Type T.45
Tail Number
N7476
Operator
Sonja Flesberg
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN07LA152

The glider achieved flight as normal prior to rotation by the tow plane. As the glider continued along the runway there seemed to be some sort of external downward force like a wind gust. The glider wheel touched the runway and the glider bounced into the air, gaining altitude rapidly. The pilot released the glider tow line and continued straight. The pilot stated that the tow plane was not in sight and there was an impression that the tow plane may have taken off. The pilot banked the glider to the right to return to the airport. During the turn the right wing stalled and the glider lost altitude rapidly. The glider impacted terrain to the west of the runway on airport property. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by making a small right turn and landing straight ahead on the remaining runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low altitude release resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing factors were the pilot's decision to turn back to the airport at low altitude and the wind gust.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 2007, approximately 1545 central daylight time, a Slingsby Swallow Type T.45 glider, N7476, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from the Sunflower Aerodrome Gliderport (SN76), Hutchinson, Kansas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The aircraft was registered to Wichita Soaring Association, Inc., Wichita, Kansas, and operated by the pilot. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's statement, the glider achieved flight as normal prior to rotation by the tow plane. As the glider continued along the runway "there seemed to be some sort of external downward force like a wind gust." The glider wheel touched the runway and the glider bounced into the air, "gaining altitude rapidly." The pilot released the glider tow line and continued straight. The pilot stated that "the tow plane was not in sight and there was an impression that the tow plane may have taken off." The pilot banked the glider to the right to return to the airport. During the turn, "the right wing stalled and the glider lost altitude rapidly." The glider impacted terrain to the west of the runway on airport property. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), Recommendation section (How could this accident/incident have been prevented?), the pilot stated, "A small turn to the right to place the glider slightly right and out of the way of the tow plane with a landing straight ahead on the remaining runway." Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the glider came to rest inverted. The forward fuselage was destroyed, and both wings were separated from the airframe. No anomalies were noted with the glider systems. At 1552, the automated weather observation from Hutchinson Municipal Airport, located approximately 9 miles north of the accident site, reported variable winds at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 32 degrees Celsius, dew point 11 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.12 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 CDT
Nearest AirportSunflower Aerodrome Gliderport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSlingsby Swallow Type T.45
Tail NumberN7476
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSonja Flesberg
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time20:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data