# NTSB OAK74FXQ03: Nimbus III-B, N63494, Sparks, NV, July 8, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 8, 1973
- Place: Sparks, NV · SPARKS, NV
- Location: 39.5349° N, 119.7527° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sparks, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5349&lon=-119.7527&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 23, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK74FXQ03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FXQ03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2565   73/7/8    SPARKS,NEV          NIMBUS III-B        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 31, 350
        TIME - 1215                    N63494              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - AIR SAILNG GLDRPT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SPARKS,NEV                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
          MISC-TOW ROPE FAILED TO RELEASE FOR UNDTRMD REASON
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SPARS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT: GLIDER LAUNCH/TOW EQUIPMENT
        REMARKS- AUTO/GLIDER TOW SYSTEM USED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63494](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63494-1973-08-21), registration cancelled 1973-08-21, S/N 104, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NIMBUS III-B
- Registry model: [Blalock Mitchell Design NIMBUS III B](https://openairdocs.org/model/blalock-mitchell-design-nimbus-iii-b) (registry code 05603C7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Engines: none
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Air Sailng Gldrpt

## 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 19730708020429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730708020429A), Jul 8, 1973: Amtr 0560310, Sparks, NV, Destroyed. Auto/glider tow system used. Misc-tow rope failed to release for undtrmd reason

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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