# NTSB ATL07CA101: Schempp-Hirth Discus-CS, N42CA, Freehold, NY, July 1, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2007, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Freehold, NY
- Coordinates: 42.358612, -74.059448
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3586&lon=-74.0594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Albany FSDO-01
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA101

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent activation of the tow release handle at a low altitude following an encounter with turbulence.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - glider/tow release - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the takeoff was normal.  His glider and the tow plane were on the initial climb out. During the climb they began to encounter heavy turbulence. At 200 feet AGL he continued to encounter heavy turbulence and bumped his head twice against the canopy. He inadvertently hit the release cable handle at a low altitude, and disconnected from the tow plane. He attempted to return to the airport and collided with trees after losing lift. The pilot did not report any flight control anomalies with the glider.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that the take-off was normal his glider and the tow plane were on the initial climb out. During the climb they began to encounter heavy turbulence. At 200 feet AGL he continued to encounter heavy turbulence and bumped his head twice against the canopy. He inadvertently hit the release cable handle at a low altitude, and disconnected from the tow plane. He attempted to return to the airport and collided with trees after losing lift. The pilot did not report any flight control anomalies with the glider.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42CA), registered now, S/N 239CS, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth Discus-CS
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS CS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-discus-cs) (registry code 38019VS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 239CS
- Airframe hours: 409
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Glider tow, Part 91
- Operator: Paul F. Quinn
- Registered owner: Paul F. Quinn
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007, 2 hours before
- Departed: 1I5, Freehold, NY
- Destination: 1I5, Freehold, NY
- Airport: NY21, Freehold, runway 30, 2,275 × 22 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 104 total, 18 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: KALB, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20070701010009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070701010009A), Jul 1, 2007: Schemp DISCUSCS, Freehold, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC stated that launch using runway 30, and climb out were normal until he encountered turbulence and bumped his head on the canopy. PIC notified tow…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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