# NTSB DFW06CA157: Caproni Vizzola Cos. Aero. Calif A-21, N9FM, San Antonio, TX, June 10, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2006, 19:30 local (Jun 10, 2006, 00:30 UTC) - Place: San Antonio, TX - Coordinates: 29.506111, -98.792221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5061&lon=-98.7922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63889 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63889/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA157 ## Probable cause The pilot/owner's failure to properly secure the right wing, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the right wing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - wing - separation (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis A bystander used a video camera to record the flight from the ground. A review of the video revealed that when the tow airplane and glider were on their takeoff roll, the glider's right wing deflected upwards (about 90 degrees) and completely separated at the wing-to-fuselage attachment point. The glider pilot simultaneously released the tow connection, as the glider descended back onto the runway and then veered to the right and out of camera view. The 2,500-hour commercial glider pilot had recently purchased the glider and he (and three others) helped him attach both wings four days prior to the accident. The pilot reported that while his associates held the wings, he used the manufacturer supplied Allen wrench and inserted it into the hexagonal hole on top of the wing, which house the wing-attachment mechanism that was mounted vertically to the inboard stub of the wing. The pilot reported that he made 15 complete revolutions of the wrench, which fully engaged the locking pins that run symmetrically along a jackscrew. The pilot visually confirmed that the top locking pin was flush with the plane of the top attachment ring. He also shook both wings to make sure they were secured. Prior to the first flight, the pilot performed a preflight inspection and he once again confirmed that the wing-to-fuselage attaching pins were fully engaged. He departed about five minutes later. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the wing-to-fuselage locking mechanism was not fully engaged. The inspector used the same Allen wrench that was used to install the wings and manually tested the locking mechanism. When the inspector inserted the wrench, the system moved freely and he was able to make 15 complete revolutions, which fully engaged the locking pins. ## Factual narrative A bystander used a video camera to record the test flight from the ground. A review of the video revealed that when the tow airplane and glider were on their takeoff roll, the glider's right wing deflected upwards (about 90 degrees) and completely separated at the wing-to-fuselage attachment point. The glider pilot simultaneously released the tow connection, as the glider descended back onto the runway and then veered to the right and out of camera view. The 2,500-hour commercial glider pilot had recently purchased the glider and he (and three others) helped him attach both wings four days prior to the accident. The pilot reported that while his associates held the wings, he used the manufacturer supplied Allen wrench and inserted it into the hexagonal hole on top of the wing, which house the wing-attachment mechanism that was mounted vertically to the inboard stub of the wing. The pilot reported that he made 15 complete revolutions of the wrench, which fully engaged the locking pins that run symmetrically along a jackscrew. The pilot visually confirmed that the top locking pin was flush with the plane of the top attachment ring. He also shook both wings to make sure they were secured. Prior to the first flight, the pilot performed a preflight inspection and he once again confirmed that the wing-to-fuselage attaching pins were fully engaged. He departed about five minutes later. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the wing-to-fuselage locking mechanism was not fully engaged. The inspector used the same Allen wrench that was used to install the wings and manually tested the locking mechanism. When the inspector inserted the wrench, the system moved freely and he was able to make 15 complete revolutions, which fully engaged the locking pins. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9FM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9FM-2006-08-11), registration cancelled 2006-08-11, S/N 205, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Caproni Vizzola Cos. Aero. Calif A-21 - Registry model: [Caproni Vizzola CALIF A-21](https://openairdocs.org/model/caproni-vizzola-calif-a-21) (registry code 1870101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 205 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jean-Pierre Ducos - Registered owner: Jean Pierre Ducos - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 8T8, San Antonio, TX - Destination: 8T8 - Airport: 8T8, San Geronimo, runway 17 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,500 total, 25 in this make and model, 290 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days ## 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 20060609010999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060609010999A), Jun 9, 2006: Vizola CALIFA21, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) As the glider was being towed, for take off, the right outboard wing separated resulting in the glider crashing. A detailed examination revealed that the… 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.