# NTSB GAA17CA340: Sportine Aviacija LAK 12, N4206N, Reno, NV, June 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2017, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.868888, -119.702774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8689&lon=-119.7028&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95375 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA340 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95375/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95375 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA340 ## Probable cause The glider pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch during an aerotow takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Altitude deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282); cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510); cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056101E), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported that, during an aerotow takeoff and after becoming distracted by something in the cockpit, he looked back outside and noticed that he was about 100 ft higher than the tow airplane. He added that he attempted to correct, "but the tow hook released on its own." The pilot turned the glider to the left, the left wing impacted the ground, and the glider came to rest in some brush. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Glider Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-13A, "Normal Assisted Takeoff" section, stated, in part: One of the most dangerous occurrences during aerotow is allowing the glider to fly high above and losing sight of the towplane. The tension on the towline caused by the glider pulls the towplane tail up, lowering its nose. If the glider continues to rise, pulling the towplane tail higher, the tow pilot may not be able to raise the nose. Ultimately, the tow pilot may run out of up elevator authority. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot reported that during an aerotow takeoff, after becoming distracted by something in the cockpit, he looked back outside and noticed he was about 100 ft. higher than the tow airplane. He added that he attempted to correct, "but the tow hook released on its own". The pilot turned to the left, the left wing impacted the ground, the glider came to rest in some brush. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Glider Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-13A, "Normal Assisted Takeoff" section, stated in part: One of the most dangerous occurrences during aerotow is allowing the glider to fly high above and losing sight of the towplane. The tension on the towline caused by the glider pulls the towplane tail up, lowering its nose. If the glider continues to rise, pulling the towplane tail higher, the tow pilot may not be able to raise the nose. Ultimately, the tow pilot may run out of up elevator authority. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4206N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4206N-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 682, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SPORTINE AVIACIJA LAK 12 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Sportine Aviacija LAK-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/sportine-aviacija-lak-12) (registry code 056101E) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 682 - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 553.1 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 27, 2017 - Departed: NV23, Reno, NV - Destination: NV23, Reno, NV - Airport: NV23, Air Sailing, runway 17, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,761 total, 8 in this make and model, 1,576 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KRTS, 14 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 20170614009759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170614009759A), Jun 14, 2017: Sportine Aviacija LAK-12, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Shortly after lift off, while being towed, the glider pilot allowed the glider to climb approximately 100 feet above the tow plane causing two effects that… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95375. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454324&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%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.