# NTSB NYC82DA106: Schleicher ASW-15, N77BZ, Plymouth, CT, May 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1982, 12:03 local (16:03 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, CT
- Location: 41.6334° N, 73.0468° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MOUNT TOBE (N41), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6334&lon=-73.0468&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,rudder control - improper (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous equipment - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE RUDDER PEDALS CLICK INTO THEIR DETENTED/LOCKED POSITION WHEN THEY WERE ADJUSTED BEFORE TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, WHILE BEING TOWED FOR TAKEOFF, THE RUDDER PEDALS SLIPPED FORWARD ABOUT 1 TO 2 INCHES. THE PILOT REACHED DOWN WITH HIS LEFT HAND TO PULL THE RUDDER ADJUST KNOB AND REPOSITION THE RUDDER PEDALS. HOWEVER, HE INADVERTENTLY PULLED THE TOW RELEASE KNOB WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 3 INCHES TO THE LEFT OF THE RUDDER ADJUST KNOB. THE TOW ROPE WAS RELEASED WHEN HE ABOUT 200 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AT ABOUT 15 FT AGL AND 55 KNOTS. SINCE THERE WERE TREES AROUND THE END OF THE RUNWAY, HE PULLED UP AND TURNED RIGHT IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND IN A CLEAR AREA ON ANOTHER PART OF THE AIRPORT. HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE CLEARING AND CRASHED IN THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77BZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77BZ-1999-03-04), registration cancelled 1999-03-04, S/N 15130 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-15
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-15) (registry code 38015HZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 15130
- Airframe hours: 306
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jonathan T. Mead
- Registered owner: Jonathan T. Mead
- Departed: N41, PLYMOUTH, CT
- Destination: N41, PLYMOUTH, CT
- Airport: N41, Waterbury, runway 35, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 429 total, 147 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F

## 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 19820526019239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820526019239A), May 26, 1982: Schler ASW15, Plymouth, CT, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to adjust rudder pedals during climb and released glider tow rope. Crashed during emergency landing

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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