# NTSB NYC90LA114: Rolladen-Schneider Lsif Sailplane, N17EW, Mayville, NY, May 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1990, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Mayville, NY
- Coordinates: 42.250484, -79.499763 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2505&lon=-79.4998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA114

## Probable cause

JAMMED FLIGHT CONTROLS IN FLIGHT DUE TO A BENT AILERON PUSH-ROD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight control,aileron - jammed (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR OVER TWO HOURS AND WAS MANEUVERED IN A LEFT TURN, IN A THERMAL WITH SOME TURBULENCE WHEN THE CONTROL STICK WENT FULL LEFT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO PULL THE STICK FREE AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE GLIDER. HE JETTISONED THE CANOPY, EXITED THE GLIDER, AND DEPLOYED HIS PARACHUTE. THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING ITS UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO THE GROUND. POST CRASH EXAMINATION BY THE FAA DISCLOSED THE AILERON PUSH ROD ON THE LEFT WING WAS BENT IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION. THIS OCCURRED DURING DISASSEMBLY WHEN THE WINGS WERE REMOVED FOR STORAGE ON A TRAILER. THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE LEFT WING WAS ALLOWED TO DROP, WHICH BENT THE PUSH ROD UPWARD. WHEN THE CONTROL STICK WAS MOVED TO FULL LEFT, THE RIVET ON TOP OF THE AILERON PUSH ROD MADE CONTACT WITH THE COLLAR AROUND THE AILERON PUSH ROD AND THE AILERON CONTROL JAMMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17EW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17EW-2024-06-08), registration cancelled 2024-06-08, S/N 448, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LSIF SAILPLANE (LSIF SAILP)
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider OHG LS1-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ohg-ls1-f) (registry code 3801211) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 448
- Airframe hours: 413
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy W. Mara
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1990, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,442 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,320 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JHW

## 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 19900528017469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900528017469A), May 28, 1990: Rolsch LS1F, Mayville, NY, Substantial damage. Aileron locked full left. Unable control,bailed out and landed. Minor injury. Aileron push rod bent on wing removal

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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