- Date
- May 8, 1987, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place
- Julian, PA
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- CGPIKPik 20
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 11, 1989
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 30643
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Glider launch/tow equipment - overload
Flight control,elevator attachment - disconnectedCause
Preflight planning/preparation - improperCause
Loss of control - in flight
In flight collision with terrain/water
Analysis
The glider was assembled and all controls checked for freedom of movement prior to takeoff. During initial takeoff and climb, while in tow, the acft pitched nose up abruptly breaking the tow rope. The acft was then observed to turn right and nose down into the ground. Exam of the wreckage revealed that the push/pull control rod was not connected to the elevator ball joint.
Aircraft
- Registration
- CGPIK
- Reported as
- Pik 20
- Category
- Glider
- Engine
- unknown
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Kurk Kovac
- Registered owner
- Kurk Kovac
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 55
- Flight hours
- 2,100 total · 1,123 in this make and model · 2,060 as pilot in command · 23 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Lowest ceiling
- None