# NTSB MKC86LA174: Scheibe Flugzeugbau Bergfalke II-55, N5924, Hutchinson, KS, August 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1986, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Hutchinson, KS
- Coordinates: 38.05989, -97.910461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0599&lon=-97.9105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA174

## 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 attachment - not engaged (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - glider launch/tow equipment - disconnected
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - flight control,speed brake - engaged
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PERFORMED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A THOROUGH PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF THE HORIZONTAL TAIL, BEFORE HE PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT ONTO THE RUNWAY AND HOOKED THE TOW LINE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THE ELEVATOR CONTROLS DID NOT RESPOND TO HIS INPUTS AND HE ABORTED THE AERO TOWING OPERATION BY BREAKING AWAY FROM THE TOW AIRCRAFT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AS HE DEPLOYED THE DIVE BRAKES THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE GLIDER STRUCK THE RUNWAY WHERE IT BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR PUSH ROD HAD NOT BEEN ATTACHED PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. THE TOW PLANE WAS NOT DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5924](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5924-2018-03-30), registration cancelled 2018-03-30, S/N 85, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Scheibe Flugzeugbau BERGFALKE II-55 (BERGFALKE)
- Registry model: [Scheibe BERGFALKE II-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/scheibe-bergfalke-ii-55) (registry code 3801315) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 085
- Airframe hours: 1043
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wichita Soaring Assoc. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1986
- Airport: KS76, Sunflower Aerodrome, runway 17L, 7,000 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 194 total, 4 in this make and model, 171 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUT, 10 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 19860824086549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860824086549A), Aug 24, 1986: Scbflg BERGFLK1155, Hutchinson, KS, Substantial damage. The glider landed hard after aborting a towed takeoff. The pilot had failed to connect the elevator pushrod.

## Other investigations on N5924 (2)

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.

- [NTSB SEA95LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA069), Mar 18, 1995: Scheibe Flugzeugbau Bergfalke II-55 (N5924), Bozeman, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE FROM THE RUNWAY. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING.
- [NTSB SEA70D0147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70D0147), Sep 7, 1969: Bergfalke II-55 (N5924), Aurora, OR, substantial damage

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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