# NTSB GAA16CA430: Pzl-Swidnik PW 6U, N212EC, Llano, CA, August 14, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 14, 2016, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Llano, CA
- Coordinates: 34.484722, -117.826385 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4847&lon=-117.8264&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA430
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93838/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93838
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA430

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to properly secure the two aft canopy latches during the preflight inspection, which resulted in the canopy separating from the glider during the takeoff roll and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.

## Findings

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

- [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-6U, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=9820211), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md)
- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-6U, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=9820211), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-6U, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=9820211), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-6U, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=9820211), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md)
- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-6U, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=9820211), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-6U, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=9820211), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-6U, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=9820211), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the glider pilot, while being towed during the takeoff roll, the glider encountered a bump and he heard a loud bang. He reported that he was contacted by radio and informed that the aft canopy had separated from the glider. The pilot recalled that although the glider controllability was normal he communicated with the tow airplane pilot, executed one pattern and landed the glider. The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection he failed to properly close and lock the two canopy latches for the aft canopy. The glider sustained substantial damage to the aft canopy and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the glider that would have prevented normal flight operations.

## Factual narrative

According to the glider pilot, while being towed during the takeoff roll, the glider encountered a bump and he heard a loud bang. He reported that he was contacted by radio and informed that the aft canopy had separated from the glider. The pilot recalled that although the glider controllability was normal he communicated with the tow airplane pilot, executed one pattern and landed the glider. The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection he failed to properly close and lock the two canopy latches for the aft canopy. The glider sustained substantial damage to the aft canopy and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the glider that would have prevented normal flight operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N212EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N212EC), registered now, S/N 78.03.08, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL-SWIDNIK PW 6U (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Pzl-Swidnik PW-6U](https://openairdocs.org/model/pzl-swidnik-pw-6u) (registry code 9820211) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 78.03.08
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 897
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cypress Soaring Inc
- Registered owner: Cypress Soaring Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 2016
- Departed: 46CN, Llano, CA
- Destination: 46CN, Llano, CA
- Airport: 46CN, Crystal, runway 25, 4,500 × 250 ft, dirt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 534.9 total, 13.1 in this make and model, 429.6 as pilot in command, 54.5 in the last 90 days, 19.7 in the last 30 days, 0.1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KGXA, 9 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93838. 2.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446947&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 446 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446948&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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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