# NTSB LAX92LA400: Schleicher ASW-20, N789E, Middletown, CA, September 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1992, 13:31 local (20:31 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, CA
- Coordinates: 38.779415, -122.579353 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7794&lon=-122.5794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA400
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA400

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CONNECT THE ELEVATOR CONTROL DURING ASSEMBLY AND FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT CHECK.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS DISTRACTION BY PERFORMING OTHER TASKS DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,elevator - disconnected (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO CONNECT THE ELEVATOR CONTROL MECHANISM DURING ASSEMBLY AND WAS DISTRACTED BY PERFORMING OTHER TASKS.  THE PILOT DID NOT PERFORM A POSITIVE FLIGHT CONTROL CHECK PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.  AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD NO ELEVATOR CONTROL, LOST AIRCRAFT CONTROL, AND DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N789E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N789E-1997-09-18), registration cancelled 1997-09-18, S/N 20492 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20) (registry code 3801506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20492
- Airframe hours: 917
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David C. Petersen
- Registered owner: David C. Petersen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1992
- Departed: CA20, MIDDLETOWN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 241 total, 66 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920926038809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920926038809A), Sep 26, 1992: Schler ASW20, Middletown, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. No elevator control on takeoff prior tow release. Dived into ground. Pilot failed to connect elevator control.

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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