# NTSB LAX98LA221: Rolladen-Schneider LS-6, N6686, Llano, CA, July 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1998, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Llano, CA - Coordinates: 34.479183, -117.880073 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4792&lon=-117.8801&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 February 22, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30138 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30138/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA221 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to attach the aileron 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 - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not possible - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The glider was towed aloft and witnesses observed the right wing oscillating. After release about 400 to 500 feet agl, the glider went into a right spiral and impacted the ground. The airport owner examined the glider after the accident and reported that the quick disconnect fitting for the right aileron was found disconnected. The pilot had reassembled the glider on the morning of the accident and did not perform a control continuity check prior to takeoff. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 1998, at 1335 hours Pacific daylight time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 glider, N6686, collided with the ground during the takeoff initial climb at the Crystal Gliderport in Llano, California. The glider was destroyed and the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, suffered serious injuries. The local area personal flight was originating at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airport owner observed the accident sequence and reported that on the initial takeoff roll, the right aileron and right wing were oscillating. He further reported that as the glider pilot rotated to about 10 feet agl, both wings appeared to be oscillating violently. Approximately 400 to 500 feet agl, the glider pilot released from the tow plane and went into a right spiral and impacted the ground. The airport owner opined that the glider pilot may not have released sooner because he may have attributed the oscillations to turbulence. The airport owner reported that he examined the glider after the accident. He stated that the glider is equipped with quick disconnect fittings on the control system located in the wing center section that allow it to be disconnected and reconnected as the wings are removed or installed. The right aileron fitting was found disconnected. The pilot reassembled the glider on the morning of the accident flight and witnesses did not see him perform a control continuity check prior to takeoff. The pilot does not remember the accident or the events leading up to it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6686](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6686-1998-10-23), registration cancelled 1998-10-23, S/N 6002 (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: 6002 - Airframe hours: 904 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hannes Linke - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1998, 7 hours before - Departed: LO1 - Airport: LO1, Crystal Gliderport, runway 25, 2,500 × 400 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: center; flight hours: 4,186 total, 550 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PMD, 12 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 19980705015849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980705015849A), Jul 5, 1998: Rolsch LS6, Llano, CA, Destroyed. Rt aileron or wing was flutter before glider release. After release went into right spriral. Impacted ground. (.4) the glider was towed aloft and witnesses… 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.