# NTSB NYC00LA130: Ludeman HP-18, N67TT, Kutztown, PA, May 7, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 2000, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Kutztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.369598, -76.299728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3696&lon=-76.2997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA130

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider.  A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

A powered airplane was towing the glider.  During the takeoff roll, the glider lifted off the ground and began to rise too high.  The pilot overcorrected the glider and it struck the ground.  'Pilot induced oscillations' ensued, and the pilot could not control them.  The pilot released the towrope, and the glider 'cartwheeled' on the ground before coming to rest inverted.  The pilot reported 250 hours of total experience in gliders, with no experience in make and model.

## Factual narrative

On May 7, 2000, about 1240 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt HP-18, a glider, N67TT, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Kutztown Airport, Kutztown, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, a powered airplane was towing the glider.  During the takeoff roll, the glider lifted off the ground and began to rise too high.  The pilot overcorrected the glider and it struck the ground.  "Pilot induced oscillations" ensued, and the pilot could not control them.  The pilot released the towrope, and the glider "cartwheeled" on the ground before coming to rest inverted.

The pilot reported 250 hours of total experience in gliders, with no experience in make and model.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67TT-2007-10-29), registration cancelled 2007-10-29, S/N 67, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ludeman HP-18
- Registry model: [Morgan Michael L HP 18](https://openairdocs.org/model/morgan-michael-l-hp-18) (registry code 05647UX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 67
- Airframe hours: 386
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Mccoach
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2000, 0 hours before
- Departed: N31
- Airport: N31, Kutztown Airport, runway 28, 2,260 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; seat: front; flight hours: 250 total, 230 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDG, 11 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 20000507040379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000507040379A), May 7, 2000: Amtr HP18, Kutztown, PA, Destroyed. (.4) On may 7, 2000, about 1240 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt HP-18, a glider, N67TT, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Kutztown airport,…

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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