# NTSB FTW82DA300: Schleicher ASW-20, N13JR, Hempstead, TX, July 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1982, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Hempstead, TX
- Coordinates: 30.08974, -96.080299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0897&lon=-96.0803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA300

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,elevator control - disconnected (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE GLIDER WAS ASSEMBLED AT THE SITE. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, HE OBVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE PITCH CONTROL. HE RELEASED THE TOW ROPE AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL AND ABORTED. THE GLIDER LANDED HARD ON THE FUSELAGE, FORWARD OF THE LANDING GEAR. IT THEN BOUNCED AND SUBSEQUENTLY VEERED INTO A FENCE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR CONTROLS HAD INADVERTENTLY BEEN LEFT DISCONNECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N13JR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20114
- Airframe hours: 243
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph E. Rench
- Registered owner: Joseph E. Rench
- Departed: 35R, HEMPSTEAD, TX
- Destination: 35R, HEMPSTEAD, TX
- Airport: 35R, Hempstead, runway 17, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,283 total, 168 in this make and model, 3,176 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 203 °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 19820724035499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820724035499A), Jul 24, 1982: Schler ASW20, Hempstead, TX, Substantial damage. Glider crashed during takeoff. Elevators had not been connected during assembly.

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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