# NTSB DEN82DA114: Schweizer SGS 1-34, N7642, Colorado Spring, CO, June 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1982, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Location: 38.8339° N, 104.8214° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colorado Springs, CO, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8339&lon=-104.8214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA114

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - unlocked
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE CANOPY OF THE GLIDER CAME OPEN WHILE THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE CANOPY, AND IN DOING SO, THE GLIDER BECAME AIRBORNE, THEN CONTACTED THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER BEGAN TO PORPOISE AND THE PILOT RELEASED THE TOW CABLE AND LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE FUSELAGE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE CANOPY REVEALED IT WAS CAPABLE OF BEING CLOSED AND LATCHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7642](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7642-1992-06-05), registration cancelled 1992-06-05, S/N 22 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-34
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 22
- Airframe hours: 1298
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis Pollard
- Registered owner: Bruce L. Brosi
- Departed: CO26, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Destination: CO26, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Airport: CO26, Black Forest Glider Port, runway 17, 5,000 × 20 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; medical: unknown; flight hours: 30 total, 1 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F

## 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 19820624044289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820624044289A), Jun 24, 1982: Scwzer SGS134, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Glider canopy came open on lift off. Porpoised on runway prior to tow release while trying to close canopy.

## Other investigations on N7642 (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN92FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA048), Apr 25, 1992: Schweizer SGS 1-34 (N7642), Elbert, CO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GLIDER RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT WING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THE SCHWEIZER…

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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