# NTSB SEA08CA122: Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4M, N747JN, Ephrata, WA, May 4, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 4, 2008, 14:22 local (21:22 UTC) - Place: Ephrata, WA - Coordinates: 47.308055, -119.51667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3081&lon=-119.5167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67945 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67945/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to connect the left aileron control rod during assembly. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: aileron control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases.md?model=3801967), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022710/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=3801967), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801967), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3801967), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801967), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis This was the first flight after removal of the glider from storage and its reassembly. The pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb, the glider started to roll to the left despite his control inputs. He decided to abort the takeoff and land straight ahead while attempting to maintain control of the powered glider. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground, and the glider began to cartwheel. Examination of the airframe revealed that the left and right wings were structurally damaged and the empennage was partially separated. Examination of the flight control system revealed that the left aileron connecting rod was disconnected at the fuselage/wing quick connection point and was undamaged. The pilot stated that during assembly of the glider prior to the flight, the left aileron control tube was inadvertently not attached, and that he did not verify that all flight controls moved free and correct prior to takeoff. ## Factual narrative This was the first flight after removal of the glider from storage and its reassembly. The pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb, the glider started to roll to the left despite his control inputs. He decided to abort the takeoff and land straight ahead while attempting to maintain control of the powered glider. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground and the glider began to cart wheel. Examination of the airframe revealed that the left and right wings were structurally damaged and the empennage was partially separated. Examination of the flight control system revealed that the left aileron connecting rod was disconnected at the fuselage/wing quick connection point and was undamaged. The pilot stated that during assembly of the glider prior to the flight, the left aileron control tube was inadvertently not attached and that he did not verify that all flight controls moved free and correct prior to takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N747JN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N747JN), registered now, S/N 14, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4M - Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth NIMBUS-4M](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-nimbus-4m) (registry code 3801967) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Solo 2625 02](https://openairdocs.org/engine/solo-2625-02) (registry code 58111, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 14 - Engines: Solo 2625-02 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Nelson Edward Funston - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KEPH, Ephrata, WA - Airport: KEPH, Ephrata Municipal Airport, runway 21, 3,467 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: center; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KEPH ## 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 20080504833519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080504833519A), May 4, 2008: Sphrth NIMBUS4M, Ephrata, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) N747JN, a powered glider, departed the designated glider runway 21 at Ephrata Municipal Airport under its own power. The pilot [privacy data omitted] was… 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.