# NTSB ERA12CA378: Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, N817V, Mocksville, NC, May 28, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 28, 2012, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Mocksville, NC - Coordinates: 36.019165, -80.509719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0192&lon=-80.5097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA378 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83827/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83827 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA378 ## Probable cause The glider pilot's failure to attain and maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the glider's heading differed about 5 degrees from that of the towplane when the towplane began its takeoff roll. The pilot used rudder to correct the heading, but the glider dragged a wing and yawed 70 degrees to its right. The glider lifted 3 to 5 feet above the runway, the pilot released the tow, the glider touched down in a sideslip, and the resultant side load on the tail landing gear "buckled the tailboom 90 [degrees]." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the glider that would have prevented normal operation, and that the accident might have been prevented by ensuring alignment of the glider with the towplane prior to the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, his glider's heading differed about 5 degrees from that of the towplane, when the towplane began its takeoff roll. The pilot used rudder to correct but the glider dragged a wing, and yawed 70 degrees to its right as a result. The glider lifted 3 to 5 feet above the runway, the pilot released the tow, the glider touched down in a sideslip, and the resultant side load on the tail landing gear "buckled the tailboom 90 [degrees]." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the glider that would have prevented normal operation, and that the accident might have been prevented by ensuring alignment of the glider with the towplane prior to the takeoff roll. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N817V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N817V-2019-03-20), registration cancelled 2019-03-20, S/N 551192035, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PDPS PZL-BIELSKO SZD-55-1 - Registry model: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/pdps-pzl-bielsko-szd-55-1) (registry code 8821644) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 551192035 - Airframe hours: 1143 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 2012 - Departed: 43NC, Mocksville, NC - Destination: 43NC, Mocksville, NC - Airport: 43NC, Bahson Gliderport, runway 01L, 3,000 × 260 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; last flight review May 19, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 107 total, 7 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KINT, 16 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 20120528010119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120528010119A), May 28, 2012: Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, Mocksville, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot was 5? To the left of the tow plane heading was unable to maintain directional control while being towed for take off. Befoe the pilot could disconnect… ## Other investigations on N817V (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 GAA17CA456](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA456), Jul 29, 2017: Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD 55-1 (N817V), Mocksville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83827. 639 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 316 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371895&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Form 6120 (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Form%206120-Master.PDF - Mocksville (INT) Meteorological Observations (item 3, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mocksville%20(INT)%20Meteorological%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1- Overview of Wreckage (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-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.