# NTSB ERA14CA335: Alexander Schleicher K 7, N9156, Mocksville, NC, July 6, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 6, 2014, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Mocksville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.930538, -80.4001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9305&lon=-80.4001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA335
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89639/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89639
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA335

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to install an additional cushion to elevate his passenger and his failure to insure the cushion would not interfere with the control stick movement resulting in limited movement of the elevator in flight and collision with a fence during an emergency off field landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3801547), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Flight control system: elevator tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md?model=3801547), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3801547), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=3801547), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=3801547), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=3801547), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3801547), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher K 7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801547), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that just prior to departing on the glider flight, an unsecured seat cushion was provided to his passenger in order to elevate his seating position and improve his view. After releasing from the tow plane, performing a 30-degree bank turn, and leveling the glider, the pilot was unable to move the control stick fully aft in the pitch axis. He attempted to troubleshoot the blocked flight control, and asked the passenger if he noted any obstructions, which he did not. During the subsequent forced landing, the pilot was unable to safely maneuver to the departure gliderport, and landed in an adjacent field where the glider struck a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that his examination of the aft cockpit following the accident revealed the seat cushion had shifted during flight, blocked the control stick, and that the cushion's internal metal frame and the aft control stick displayed witness marks consistent with contact during flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that just prior to departing on the glider flight, an unsecured seat cushion was provided to his passenger in order to elevate his seating position and improve his view. After releasing from the tow plane, performing a 30-degree bank turn, and leveling the glider, the pilot was unable to move the control stick fully aft in the pitch axis. He attempted to troubleshoot the blocked flight control, and asked the passenger if he noted any obstructions, which he did not. During the subsequent forced landing, the pilot was unable to safely maneuver to the departure gliderport, and landed in an adjacent field where the glider struck a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that his examination of the aft cockpit following the accident revealed the seat cushion had shifted during flight, blocked the control stick, and that the cushion's internal metal frame and the aft control stick displayed witness marks consistent with contact during flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9156](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9156-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 7032, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER GMBH & CO K 7
- Registry model: [Alexander Schleicher K 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-schleicher-k-7) (registry code 3801547) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 7032
- Year built: 1962
- Airframe hours: 3178
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Piedmont Soaring Society
- Registered owner: Piedmont Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2013
- Departed: 43NC, Mocksville, NC
- Destination: 43NC, Mocksville, NC
- Airport: 43NC, Bahnson, runway 01, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 132 total, 12 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 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 20140706014619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140706014619A), Jul 6, 2014: Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & Co K 7, Mocksville, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot noticed he had restricted and limited up elevator control during his takeoff tow. He disconnected from the tow aircraft and made a turn back for his…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89639. 3.0 MB in all.

- NTSB Pilot 6120 Form (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Pilot%206120%20Form%20-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of Glider as Found (Soaring Club) (item 2, .PDF, 973 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417054&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Glider%20as%20Found%20(Soaring%20Club)%0D%0A-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.

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