# NTSB ERA10CA477: Beam-Walter RS-15, N29WB, Windsor, VA, August 27, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 27, 2010, 13:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Windsor, VA - Coordinates: 36.856109, -76.681945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8561&lon=-76.6819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77274 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA477 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77274/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77274 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA477 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate installation and preflight inspection of the right rudervator assembly, which resulted in a loss control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beam-Walter RS-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=05647AL), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beam-Walter RS-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05647AL), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Empennage structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Beam-Walter RS-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500/cases.md?model=05647AL), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500/cases.md) - [Empennage structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Beam-Walter RS-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500/cases.md?model=05647AL), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beam-Walter RS-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05647AL), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot/co-owner of the experimental amateur-built glider, he assembled the glider prior to takeoff, which required that the left and right ruddervators be placed in the flight position and secured with a spring-loaded pin, inserted through three holes. The pilot stated that he visually checked that the pin was properly installed, and physically shook the ruddervators prior to takeoff. The glider was being towed for takeoff, and was approximately 6 to 10 feet above the ground, when the right ruddervator rotated toward the left ruddervator. The pilot was not able to control the glider, and disconnected from the tow plane. The glider subsequently impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the fiberglass fuselage. Postaccident examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any malfunctions of the ruddervator locking mechanism. The pin required about 25 pounds of force to move, and made a snapping noise when released. The inspector noted that the snapping noise was associated with the pin inserting through all three holes; however, further inspection revealed that the pin had only gone through two of the three holes. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot/co-owner of the experimental amateur-built glider, he assembled the glider prior to takeoff, which required that the left and right ruddervators be placed in the flight position and secured with a spring-loaded pin, inserted through three holes. The pilot stated that he visually checked that the pin was properly installed, and physically shook the ruddervators prior to takeoff. The glider was being towed for takeoff, and was approximately 6 to 10 feet above the ground, when the right ruddervator rotated toward the left ruddervator. The pilot was not able to control the glider, and disconnected from the tow plane. The glider subsequently impacted the ground, and sustained substantial damage to the fiberglass fuselage. Postaccident examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any malfunctions of the ruddervator locking mechanism. The pin required about 25 pounds of force to move, and could be heard to make a "snapping" noise when released. The inspector noted that the snapping noise was associated with the pin inserting through all three holes; however, further inspection revealed that the pin had only gone through two of the three holes. The pilot reported 338 hours of total flight experience in gliders, which included approximately 89 hours in the same make and model as the accident glider. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29WB-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 36, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEAM-WALTER RS-15 - Registry model: [Beam-Walter RS-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/beam-walter-rs-15) (registry code 05647AL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: 36 - Airframe hours: 275 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: External load, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 15, 2010 - Departed: 3VA8, Windsor, VA - Destination: 3VA8, Windsor, VA - Airport: 3VA8, Garner Airport, runway 36, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 561 total, 89 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: SFQ, 11 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 20100827046189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100827046189A), Aug 27, 2010: Beam-Walter RS-15, Windsor, VA, Substantial damage. While assembling glider for flight, the pilot failed to ensure that locking pin on the right ruddervator was properly locked in position. During the takeoff… ## Other investigations on N29WB (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 ATL80FIG10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FIG10), Jun 1, 1980: Bryan RS-15 (N29WB), Fredrick, MD, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77274. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 1, .PDF, 383 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statements (item 2, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337207&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Airworthiness Certificate (item 3, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337208&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airworthiness%20Certificate-Redacted.PDF - Assembly Procedures (item 4, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Assembly%20Procedures-Master.PDF - Soaring Safety Foundation - Safety Advisory (item 5, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Soaring%20Safety%20Foundation%20-%20Safety%20Advisory-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1 – Rudervator locking mechanism – unlocked position (Provided by FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20Rudervator%20locking%20mechanism%20%E2%80%93%20unlocked%20position%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – Rudervator locking mechanism close-up – unlocked position (Provided by FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20Rudervator%20locking%20mechanism%20close-up%20%E2%80%93%20unlocked%20position%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-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.