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NTSB Report

June 30, 2009 · Schleicher ASK-21 · N63JJ

Jean, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Jean, NV
Aircraft
Schleicher ASK-21
Tail Number
N63JJ
Operator
John M Henderson
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09CA479

The pilot reported that after climbing to about 50 feet above ground level and reaching an airspeed of about 60 knots "...the glider would not continue to climb and immediately began to descend." The pilot stated that he lowered the nose and released the tow rope to land straight ahead, but immediately upon releasing [the tow rope] the left wing raised and the aircraft drifted right between the two runways. The pilot further stated, "In spite of a full left control stick input the glider continued to roll steeply right, and at the same time [I] had the sensation of being blown sideways and that the tail was being lifted up in an uncontrollable nose-down attitude." The pilot reported that the aircraft struck the ground on the right wing tip first, then the front nosewheel, then the tailwheel. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage and the empennage. The pilot stated that he thought he had encountered a dust devil that was not in view and to the rear of the glider during takeoff. A witness reported that the glider seemed to be "...pushed down, though making forward progress until it turned steeply right." The pilot reported no anomalies with the glider.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider during the initial climb due to an inadvertent encounter with wind.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that after climbing to about 50 feet above ground level and reaching an airspeed of about 60 knots "...the glider would not continue to climb and immediately began to descend." The pilot stated that he lowered the nose and released the tow rope to land straight ahead, but immediately upon releasing [the tow rope] the left wing raised and the aircraft drifted right between the two runways. The pilot further stated, "In spite of a full left control stick input the glider continued to roll steeply right, and at the same time [I] had the sensation of being blown sideways and that the tail was being lifted up in an uncontrollable nose-down attitude." The pilot reported that the aircraft struck the ground on the right wing tip first, then the front nose wheel, then the tail wheel. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage and the empennage. The pilot stated that he thought he had encountered a dust devil that was not in view and to the rear of the glider during takeoff. A witness reported that the glider seemed to be "...pushed down, though making forward progress until it turned steeply right." The pilot reported no anomalies with the glider.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 PDT
Nearest AirportJean Airport (0nm)
Runway20R
Runway Length4600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchleicher ASK-21
Tail NumberN63JJ
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn M Henderson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt, gusting 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data