# NTSB GAA15CA177: Centrair 101A, N39KG, Hartford, WI, July 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2015, 11:44 local (16:44 UTC) - Place: Hartford, WI - Coordinates: 43.346942, -88.389442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3469&lon=-88.3894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91548 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91548/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91548 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA177 ## Probable cause The glider pilot's failure to connect the elevator to the elevator control rod during the assembly process, resulting in a loss of control, and a collision with terrain during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Flight control system: elevator control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Owner/builder; cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/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: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510) (defining event); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Centrair 101A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1990102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the glider assembly process, he was distracted several times, and did not connect the elevator to the elevator control rod. He reported that during the takeoff, while being towed by an airplane, there was an "abnormal pitch up." The pilot wrote that he was "rolling left, pitching up, and losing sight of the tow plane" and that he released the tow line. The glider bounced off the ground, impacted a tree line, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the glider assembly process, he was distracted several times, and did not connect the elevator to the elevator control rod. He reported that during the takeoff, while being towed by an airplane, there was an "abnormal pitch up." The pilot wrote that he was "rolling left, pitching up, and losing sight of the tow plane" and that he released the tow line. The glider bounced off the ground, impacted a tree line, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39KG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39KG-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 101A0130, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CENTRAIR 101A (A) - Registry model: [Centrair 101A](https://openairdocs.org/model/centrair-101a) (registry code 1990102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 101A0130 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 2021.3 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Theodore Clausing - Registered owner: Theodore Clausing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 2014 - Departed: HXF, HARTFORD, WI - Destination: HXF, HARTFORD, WI - Airport: HXF, Hartford Muni, runway 18, 2,250 × 196 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; last flight review October 10, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,875 total, 2,016 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KETB, 12 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 20150703010659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150703010659A), Jul 3, 2015: Centrair 101A, Hartford, WI, Substantial damage. On July 3, 2015, at 1146 CST a Centrair 101A glider, N39KG, experienced pitch control problems while being towed into the air. Excessive forces on the tow rope… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91548. 11.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430494&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Fuselage and Wings (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 8.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Fuselage%20and%20Wings%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Elevator Control Rod (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430496&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Elevator%20Control%20Rod%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%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.