# NTSB LAX82FJA05: Schweizer SGS 1-34, N7657, Dillingham, HI, July 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1982, 16:55 local (Jul 3, 1982, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Dillingham, HI
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FJA05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FJA05

## 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
  - window - unlocked (cause)
  - miscellaneous equipment - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,elevator control - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS ABOUT 5 FEET ABOVE THE RWY DURING A TOW TAKEOFF WITH THE L-19 TOW PLANE ABOUT READY TO LEAVE THE GROUND WHEN THE GLIDER PLT SWITCHED HANDS ON THE CONTROL STICK & APPARENTLY HIT THE COCKPIT CANOPY LATCH CAUSING THE CANOPY TO OPEN VIOLENTLY. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE CANOPY. SINCE HE WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT, HE PULLED THE TOW RELEASE AT ABOUT 10 FEET AGL. THE GLIDER PITCHED VIOLENTLY DOWNWARD TO THE RWY HITTING HARD ON THE NOSE & THEN HARD ON THE TAIL. THE PLT SAID THE ELEVATOR CONTROLS FROZE DUE TO INTERNAL DAMAGE IN THE TAIL & THE GLIDER BOUNCED ANOTHER 3 OR 4 TIMES OUT OF CONTROL UNITL IT FINALLY CAME TO A HALT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7657](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7657-1985-01-31), registration cancelled 1985-01-31, S/N 37 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-34
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 37
- Airframe hours: 932
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Honolulu Soaring Club
- Registered owner: Honolulu Soaring Club
- Departed: DILLINGHAM, HI
- Destination: DILLINGHAM, HI
- Airport: Dillingham, runway 8, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 205 total, 9 in this make and model, 149 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °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 19820702070859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820702070859A), Jul 2, 1982: Scwzer SGS134, Oahu, HI, Substantial damage. Pilot aborted takeoff when he inadvertently opened canopy. Hard landing occurred causing substantial damage.

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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