# NTSB LAX90DXQ05: Glaser-Dirks DG 400/17, N567DA, Truckee, CA, September 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1990, 18:40 local (Sep 23, 1990, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3201° N, 120.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3201&lon=-120.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DXQ05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DXQ05

## Probable cause

THE UNCOMMANDED DEPLOYMENT OF THE RIGHT SPOILER SYSTEM DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF A SPRING PIN NOT FITTED TO THE QUICK DISCONNECT AS RECOMMENDED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT LOSING CONTROL OF THE GLIDER DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - flt control syst,wing spoiler system - disconnected (cause)
  - spoiler extension - attempted, pilot in command
  - maintenance,installation - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A SELF LAUNCHED POWERED GLIDER PERFORMED AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE SPOILER PRIOR TO LANDING. THE RIGHT HAND SPOILER REMAINED DEPLOYED AFTER RETRACTION RESULTING IN AN ASYMMETRICAL LIFT CONDITION. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE CONTROL QUICK DISCONNECT SPRING PIN HAD NOT BEEN FITTED INTO THE CONTROL HOLE AS RECOMMENDED WHICH RESULTED IN THE QUICK DISCONNECT TO THE SPOILER DISCONNECTING FROM THE RIGHT HAND SPOILER ROD END BALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N567DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N567DA-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 4-39 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASER-DIRKS DG 400/17
- Registry model: [Glaser-Dirks DG-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/glaser-dirks-dg-400) (registry code 3802510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4-39
- Airframe hours: 365
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Ray Antelman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1990, 9 hours before
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 19, 4,650 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; seat: center; flight hours: 552 total, 365 in this make and model, 515 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900922042229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900922042229A), Sep 22, 1990: Glaser DG400, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. A spoiler became disconnected and remained deployed. Stall on landing. Crashed short.

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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