# NTSB LAX00LA312: Cable-Breigler BG-12BD, N4458, Tehachapi, CA, August 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 2000, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.120258, -118.509361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1203&lon=-118.5094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50127 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50127/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA312 ## Probable cause The pilot exceeded the airspeed limit for operation of the flaps resulting in flap and wing overload and separation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - flight control,flap attachment - overload (cause) - flight control,flap attachment - separation (cause) - wing - overload (cause) - wing - separation (cause) - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The glider was returning to the airport when the left wing and flap separated; the glider entered an uncontrolled descent into terrain. It was about 1 mile north of the airport and about 2,000 feet above the ground. It appeared to be preparing to enter downwind for the landing pattern for runway 27. The altitude was higher than normal for this approach, and the glider's speed was very fast. This glider did not have speed brakes; the flaps were used to slow it down. The flaps appeared to be activated when the left flap and wing separated. A section of the rear spar fractured and separated from the wing. The left wing spar fracture surface exhibited twisting characteristics. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 2000, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Cable-Breigler BG-12BD experimental homebuilt glider, N4458, collided with terrain when a wing separated in-flight while returning to land at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. The owner was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries; the glider was destroyed. The personal flight departed Mountain Valley about 1545. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. Witnesses told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accident coordinator that the glider was returning to the airport. It was about 1 mile north of the airport and about 2,000 feet above the ground. It appeared to be preparing to enter downwind for the landing pattern for runway 27. The witnesses thought the altitude was higher than normal for this approach, and they thought the glider's speed was very fast. The witnesses heard a loud snap, and the left wing and flap separated from the glider. Witnesses familiar with this type of glider said it did not have speed brakes; they said the flaps were used to slow it down. They said the flaps appeared to be activated when the left flap and wing separated. The wing was located about 0.25 miles from the main wreckage and the flap was about 300 feet from the wing. The accident coordinator examined the wing. Three hinges, attached by three screws on each hinge, connected the flap to the wing. The outboard hinge remained attached to the wing. One screw on the outboard hinge pulled out of the flap; two other screws sheared through the hinge material. The flap control assembly ripped out of the left wing. A section of the rear spar fractured and separated from the wing. The left wing spar fracture surface exhibited twisting characteristics. The flap and remaining two hinges were recovered the next day. The accident coordinator had the owner of a soaring facility examine the flap and summarized the observations. The inboard hinge remained connected to the flap and the screws pulled out of the aft wing spar. The center hinge screws pulled through the hinge holes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4458](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4458-2001-05-07), registration cancelled 2001-05-07, S/N CVC-1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CABLE-BREIGLER BG-12BD - Registry model: [Homebuilt BG-12BD](https://openairdocs.org/model/homebuilt-bg-12bd) (registry code 05603P0) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: CVC-1 - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elliot P. Quick - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: L94, TEHACHAPI, CA - Airport: L94, Mountain Valley, runway 27R, 5,190 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 23, 2000; seat: single; flight hours: 75 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EDW, 29 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 20000826010609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000826010609A), Aug 26, 2000: Amtr BG12BD, Tehachapi, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Pilot returning to Mountain Valley Airport (L94), approx. 1 mile north of airport, approaching the landing pattern for runway 27. Aircraft at higher than… 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.