# NTSB LAX84LA053: Schreder HP-18, N17DW, New River, AZ, November 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1983, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: New River, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.589385, -112.100196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5894&lon=-112.1002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24082
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24082/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA053

## 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
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE HOME BUILT, SINGLE PLACE, GLIDER & WAS ON HIS 1ST TOW. HE REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE GLIDER BECAME AIRBORNE PRIOR TO THE TOW PLANE, HE FELT A SLIGHT TUG AT THE ELEVATOR CONTROL, HAD CLIMBED TOO HIGH BEHIND THE TOW PLANE, THEN OVERCORRECTED IN A NOSE DOWN POSITION. THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RWY, BOUNCED & WENT BACK IN THE AIR. THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE CANOPY HAD LOOSENED AT ITS FRONT LOCKING POINT. AT APRX 50 FT AGL, HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE & LANDED IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT WING HIT A BUSH, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER WAS DAMAGED. EARLIER THAT DAY, THE PREVIOUS OWNER & ANOTHER PLT HAD FLOWN THE GLIDER WITH NO PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N17DW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHREDER HP-18
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 35
- Airframe hours: 216
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: 1
- Registered owner: Robert Pickwoad
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 30, 1983
- Airport: Pleasant Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 49 total, 2 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19831105056639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831105056639A), Nov 5, 1983: Amtr HP18, New River, AZ, Substantial damage. Glider pilot released from tow plane during takeoff and crashed into brush during attempted emergency landing.

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.