# NTSB LAX92LA393: Sparks-Schreder HP-140V, N704B, Avenal, CA, September 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1992, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Avenal, CA
- Coordinates: 35.890586, -120.069656 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8906&lon=-120.0697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA393
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA393

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF PITCH AND YAW CONTROL DUE TO THE SEPARATION OF THE RUDDERVATOR CONTROL CABLE FROM ITS CLEVIS FORK DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flt control syst,rudder control cable/rod - separation (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS SOARING WITH 2 OTR GLIDERS AT 4000 FT. THE OTR PLTS SAID THE ACDNT PLT RADIOED HE HAD A CTL PRBLM JUST BFR THE GLIDER ENTERED A SLOW ROTATING LEFT SPIRAL THAT CONTD TO GND IMPACT. THE PLT HAD NO PARACHUTE. THIS WAS A KIT BUILT GLIDER THAT USED A V-TAIL RUDDERVATOR FOR PITCH & YAW CTL. POST-ACDNT EXAM SHOWED THAT A CTL CABLE BTN THE MIXING BELL CRANK & THE CTL STICK FLOATING BEAM ON THE LEFT SIDE HAD PULLED OUT OF ITS CLEVIS FORK SHANK. THIS PRECLUDED PITCH OR YAW CTL OF THE GLIDER BY THE PLT. DETAILED EXAM OF THE LEFT & RGT SIDE CABLES & FITTINGS BTN THE MIXING BELL CRANK & THE FLOATING BEAM REVEALED THAT THE MIXING BELL CRANK CLEVIS FORK FITTINGS HAD BEEN PROPERLY SWAGED WITH A KEARNEY TYPE SWAGING TOOL. EVIDENCE SHOWED THE FLOATING BEAM END CLEVIS FORK FITTINGS HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY SWAGED WITH A NECOPRESS TYPE TOOL. DETAILED REVIEW OF MAINT RECORDS DISCLOSED NO RECORD THAT THE CABLES HAD BEEN CHGD OR MDFYD SINCE ORIGINAL INSTLN. CABLES (WITH TERMINAL FITTINGS ALREADY SWAGED ON) HAD BEEN SUPPLIED TO THE GLIDER BUILDER IN KIT FORM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704B-1993-03-24), registration cancelled 1993-03-24, S/N 42 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPARKS-SCHREDER HP-140V
- Registry model: [Sparks-Schreder HP-14](https://openairdocs.org/model/sparks-schreder-hp-14) (registry code 056035X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 42
- Airframe hours: 131
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Malcolm D. Jessop
- Registered owner: Malcolm D. Jessop
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1992, 12 hours before
- Departed: AVE
- Destination: AVE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,221 total, 10 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19920918037519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920918037519A), Sep 18, 1992: Amtrbr HP14, Avenal, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While soaring. Ruddervator control cable pulled out of clevis fork. Glider out of control,spiraled to ground impact

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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