# NTSB LAX95LA196: Rolladen-Schneider LS-6, N64UW, Montague, CA, May 27, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1995, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Montague, CA - Coordinates: 41.510353, -122.360565 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5104&lon=-122.3606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29104/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA196 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to properly connect the aileron/flaperon quick disconnect fitting during assembly of the glider, and his inadequate preflight inspection. ## 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 - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - not connected (cause) - maintenance,installation - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE AND REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ALOFT BY A TOW PLANE. THE WITNESSES SAID THE TOW PLANE LIFTED OFF NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE GLIDER DID NOT SEEM TO LIFT OFF IN A NORMAL MANNER. AS THE GLIDER ACHIEVED ABOUT 50 FEET AGL, THE PILOT RELEASED THE TOW LINE. THE GLIDER THEN BANKED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, THEN ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT ROLL CONTINUED UNTIL THE GLIDER WAS AT A VERY STEEP BANK ANGLE AND ENTERED A SPIRAL, WHICH CONTINUED TO GROUND IMPACT. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES, NO ONE SAW THE PILOT PERFORM A CONTROL CONTINUITY CHECK AFTER ASSEMBLY OF THE GLIDER PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. A FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT SITE AND EXAMINED THE GLIDER. HE REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER IS EQUIPPED WITH QUICK DISCONNECT FITTINGS ON THE CONTROL SYSTEM PUSH/PULL TUBES IN THE WING CENTER SECTION. THE FITTINGS ALLOW THE CONTROL SYSTEM TO BE DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED AS THE WINGS ARE REMOVED OR INSTALLED. THE RIGHT AILERON/FLAPERON FITTING WAS FOUND DISCONNECTED. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 1995, at 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Rolladen- Schneider LS-6 glider, N64UW, collided with the ground following a loss of control during the takeoff initial climb at the Montague-Yreka Rohrer Field, Montague, California. The glider was owned and operated by the pilot and was beginning a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind conditions. No flight plan was filed. The glider sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, incurred serious injuries. Ground witnesses observed the accident sequence and reported that the glider was being towed aloft by a tow plane. The witnesses said the tow plane lifted off normally; however, the glider did not seem to lift off in a normal manner. As the glider achieved about 50 feet agl, the pilot released the tow line. The glider then banked slightly to the left, then rolled to the right. The right roll continued until the glider was at a very steep bank angle and entered a spiral, which continued to ground impact. According to the witnesses, no one saw the pilot perform a control continuity check after assembly of the glider prior to takeoff. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site and examined the glider. He reported that the glider is equipped with quick disconnect fittings on the control system push/pull tubes in the wing center section. The fittings allow the control system to be disconnected and reconnected as the wings are removed or installed. The right aileron/flaperon fitting was found disconnected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64UW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64UW-1995-10-11), registration cancelled 1995-10-11, S/N 6103 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-6 - Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-6) (registry code 3801260) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 6103 - Airframe hours: 606 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William S. Tittle - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1994, 17 hours before - Departed: IO5 - Airport: 105, Montague/Yreka Roher, runway 32, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SIY, 8 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 19950527014439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950527014439A), May 27, 1995: Rolsch LS6, Montague, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on climbout after tow release. Rolled both ways. Spiral to impact. Neglected to connect right aileron. 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.