# NTSB CEN09CA577: Ketonen Schreder, N161HP, Ionia, MI, September 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2009, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Ionia, MI - Coordinates: 42.937778, -85.060554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9378&lon=-85.0606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74712 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA577 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74712/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74712 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA577 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain control of the glider during the aero-tow launch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ketonen Eric SCHREDER HP-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05628NN), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ketonen Eric SCHREDER HP-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05628NN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) (defining event); cases with it: [Ketonen Eric SCHREDER HP-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=05628NN), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Ketonen Eric SCHREDER HP-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05628NN), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337); cases with it: [Ketonen Eric SCHREDER HP-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?model=05628NN), [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the amateur-built glider was a few feet higher than it should be in relation to the tow airplane after liftoff, so he attempted to lower the glider. He expected the ground effect to slow his descent rate, but the glider continued to descend. He put in aft stick but the wheel contacted the turf at the same time. The glider then bounced and he put in forward stick pressure. The glider hit the runway hard and the pilot released the tow line. The inspection of the aircraft revealed that the glider’s fuselage had separated from the forward section of the glider during the hard landing resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the aircraft prior to the occurrence. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the amateur-built glider was a few feet higher than it should be in relation to the tow airplane after liftoff, so he attempted to lower the glider. He expected the ground effect to slow his descent rate, but the glider continued to descend. He put in aft stick but the wheel contacted the turf at the same time. The glider bounced and he put in forward stick pressure. The glider hit the runway hard and the pilot released the tow line. The inspection of the aircraft revealed that the glider’s fuselage had separated from the forward section of the glider during the hard landing resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the aircraft prior to the occurrence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N161HP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N161HP), registered now, S/N EAK03, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ketonen Schreder - Registry model: [Ketonen Eric SCHREDER HP-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/ketonen-eric-schreder-hp-16) (registry code 05628NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: EAK03 - Airframe hours: 561 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cadillac Soaring LLC - Registered owner: Cadillac Soaring LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 20, 2009 - Departed: Y70, Ionia, MI - Destination: Y70, Ionia, MI - Airport: Y70, Ionia County Airport, runway 09, 4,300 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; flight hours: 67 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20090905049079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090905049079A), Sep 5, 2009: Schreder HP16, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Short succession of pilot induced oscillations occured upon departure roll. During the pio the glider struck the turf firmly. The pilot aborted takeoff and the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74712. 544 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.