# NTSB CHI01LA332: AviaStrottel AC 4C, N68PR, Marshfield, MI, September 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 2001, 14:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Marshfield, MI - Coordinates: 42.25941, -84.94931 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2594&lon=-84.9493&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53579 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA332 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53579/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA332 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to release from the tow plane during the takeoff. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's vision was restricted by his hat during the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - visual lookout - restricted (contributing factor) - glider/tow release - performed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The glider contacted the runway during takeoff. The pilot reported that approximately 200 feet into the ground run, the glider became airborne. After reaching an altitude of about 5 feet, the glider settled to the runway and bounced. The pilot reported that he was wearing headphones, which slipped forward when the glider contacted the runway. As the headphones slipped forward, the pilot's hat was pulled down over his eyes. The glider became airborne again and because he was unable to see the tow plane, the pilot released the glider from the tow. The glider impacted hard on the runway and the pilot suffered a compression fracture in his back. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2001, at 1425 eastern daylight time, an AviaStrottel AC 4C glider, N68PR, collided with the terrain during takeoff on runway 10 (2,800 feet by 75 feet, grass) at the Brooks Field, Marshall, Michigan. The private pilot was seriously injured and the glider received minor damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that approximately 200 feet into the ground run, the glider became airborne. After reaching an altitude of about 5 feet, the glider settled to the runway and bounced. The pilot reported that he was wearing headphones, which slipped forward when the glider contacted the runway. As the headphones slipped forward, the pilot's hat was pulled down over his eyes. The glider became airborne again and because he was unable to see the tow plane, the pilot released the glider from the tow. The glider impacted hard on the runway and the pilot suffered a compression fracture in his back. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68PR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68PR), registered now, S/N 044, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AviaStrottel AC 4C - Registry model: [AS+ AC 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/as-plus-ac-4) (registry code 05628R1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 044 - Airframe hours: 100 - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John K. Gibson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 10, 2001, 3 hours before - Departed: RMY, Marshfield, MI - Airport: RMY, Brooks Field, runway 10, 2,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; private; last flight review May 26, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 94 total, 5 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: JXN, 25 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 20010929028599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010929028599A), Sep 29, 2001: Marshall, MI, No damage. (-23) On September 29, 2001, at 1425 EST., an as+ltd AC4 glider, N68PR collided with the ground during a takeoff attempt from brooks field, Marshall, Michigan.… 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.