# NTSB LAX94LA249: Prue Irving Owen 160, N90614, Jean, NV, June 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1994, 11:03 local (18:03 UTC)
- Place: Jean, NV
- Coordinates: 35.749019, -115.529968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7490&lon=-115.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA249

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly connect the aileron control linkage during assembly, and his inadequate preflight which did not detect the problem before flight.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - flight control,aileron attachment - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

ON THE INITIAL TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD NO AILERON CONTROL.  HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE WHEN ABOUT 20 TO 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE RIGHT WING THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER CRASHED. THE PILOT STATED HE FAILED TO PROPERLY CONNECT THE AILERON CONTROL LINKAGE AND THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION DID NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM.

## Factual narrative

On June 11, 1994, at 1103 hours Pacific daylight time, a Prue 160 glider, N90614, collided with terrain after an in-flight loss of control during the initial takeoff climb from the Jean Airport, Jean, Nevada.  The glider was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner.  The glider was destroyed and the certificated airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot indicated during the initial takeoff climb he did not have aileron control.  The glider pilot aborted the takeoff and released from the tow plane about 20 to 30 feet above the ground. The glider's right wing then dropped, striking the ground first.

Post-accident examination of the glider's flight control system revealed the ANC-3 bolt that attaches the aileron torque tubes to the aileron pulley was not properly installed when the glider was assembled for the flight.  The pilot stated in his report that he failed to properly connect the aileron control linkage, and inadequate preflight procedures didn't detect the problem.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90614](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90614-1995-04-29), registration cancelled 1995-04-29, S/N 1001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PRUE IRVING OWEN 160
- Registry model: [Prue Irving Owen 160](https://openairdocs.org/model/prue-irving-owen-160) (registry code 05603AK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1001
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jenista, James F.
- Registered owner: Jenista, James F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 0L7
- Destination: 0L7, NV
- Airport: 0L7, Jean Airport, runway 20, 4,500 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 11,266 total, 72 in this make and model, 9,464 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 22 nm away

## 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 19940611015219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940611015219A), Jun 11, 1994: Amtr PRUE160, Jean, NV, Destroyed. No aileron control on tow climbout. Released tow. Wing hit ground. ANC3 bolt aileron torque tube improper installed

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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