# NTSB NYC98LA011: Schweizer SGS1-26A, N1154N, Fairfield, PA, October 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 1997, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, PA - Coordinates: 39.779865, -77.360504 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7799&lon=-77.3605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39488 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39488/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA011 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the elevator cables and elevator control bell-crank by the pilot, and an inadequate annual inspection by the mechanic. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight of the flight controls prior to takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - reversed (cause) - flight control,elevator attachment - reversed (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Before takeoff, the pilot installed the wings and tail on the glider. During the takeoff, just after the glider became airborne, it pitched up vertically. After the tow rope was released the nose dropped, and the glider impacted the ground. Examination of the glider revealed that the control cables were rigged in reverse and the elevator control bell-crank located in the aft end of the fuselage was installed inverted from its normal position. About 8 days prior to the accident an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspector authorization performed an annual inspection which included a statement, 'AC assembled and rigged.' At that time, the complete elevator assembly was not installed. The pilot completed the elevator installation after the annual inspection. Prior to the flight, the pilot was asked by a witness if he had performed a 'positive control check' of the primary flight controls, which the pilot stated 'yes.' ## Factual narrative On October 13, 1997, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS1-26A, N1154N, a glider, was substantially damaged when it entered an uncontrolled descent after takeoff from the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Center, Fairfield, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A witness reported that the glider and towplane departed runway 15, an asphalt runway, on its first flight after maintenance. The glider became airborne after a 20 to 25 foot takeoff roll and began to climb at a high pitch attitude. The tow line was then released, and the glider's pitch attitude increased to about a 75 to 80 degree angle. The nose of the glider then dropped and impacted the ground. The witness stated that just prior to the flight, the wings and tail section of the glider were assembled. The witness had asked the accident pilot if he performed a "positive control check" on the primary flight controls, to which the pilot responded "yes." Another witness stated he observed the glider takeoff and pitch vertically straight up, then after the tow rope was released, the glider's nose pitched down and impacted the ground. The witness also stated that the pilot had been working on the glider for most of the summer, and recently replaced the flight control cables for the elevator. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the elevator controls were rigged backwards, with the right hand elevator cable going through the top fairlead, and the left hand elevator cable going through the bottom fairlead. According to Schweizer Control Surface Installation Chart, Form I-4073, the left hand elevator cable should have been routed through the top fairlead located in the aft fuselage. Further inspection revealed that the elevator bell-crank located in the aft end of the fuselage was installed inverted from its normal position. The elevator control, located in the cockpit, operated in reverse of normal control operation. Forward movement of the control moved the elevator surface in an upward direction. An airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspector authorization had performed an annual inspection and a flight control check about 8 days prior to accident. The annual write-up included, "AC assembled and rigged." At that time, the complete elevator assembly was not installed. The pilot completed the elevator installation after the annual inspection. No other evidence of pre-impact malfunctions were found with the glider during the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1154N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1154N-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 56, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS1-26A - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26a) (registry code 8050116) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 056 - Airframe hours: 1725 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gayle P. Lathrop - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1997, 0 hours before - Airport: W73, Mid-Atlan. Soaring Center, runway 15, 2,700 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 686 total, 634 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HGR, 24 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 19971013031199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971013031199A), Oct 13, 1997: Scwzer SGS126A, Fairfield, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot was taking glider for a check ride after repairs and crashed into ground, Fairfield, PA. (.4) before takeoff, the pilot installed the wings and tail on… ## Other investigations on N1154N (1) 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 LAX68D0200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68D0200), Oct 31, 1967: Schweizer SGS126 (N1154N), Llano, CA, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.