# NTSB SEA92LA047: Kna,Ken,Dac,Wel Tern Sailplane, N8000Z, Cottage Grove, OR, February 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1992, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Cottage Grove, OR
- Coordinates: 43.709186, -123.029464 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7092&lon=-123.0295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA047

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE SAILPLANE.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE IMPROPER TOW EQUIPMENT AND LACK OF TOTAL GLIDER EXPERIENCE.

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF ROLL THE TERN SAILPLANE PITCHED NOSE UP AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL.  THE PILOT RELEASED FROM THE TOW AIRCRAFT BUT THE SAILPLANE HAD BEGUN TO SPIN AND IMPACTED THE GROUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE SAILPLANE WAS FOUND TO BE EQUIPPED WITH ONLY A CG TOW ATTACH POINT WHICH IS USED FOR VEHICLE TOW LAUNCHES AND IS LOCATED AFT OF THE NOSE UNDER THE COCKPIT.  THE SAILPLANE DID NOT POSSESS AN AERO TOW ATTACH POINT MOUNTED ON THE NOSE AND USED FOR AIRCRAFT LAUNCHES.  THE PILOT REPORTED 557 HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE BUT ONLY 15 HOURS WERE IN GLIDERS WITH NO TIME LOGGED IN THE MAKE/MODEL OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT.

## 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
  - glider launch/tow equipment - improper (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not possible
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8000Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8000Z-1992-04-25), registration cancelled 1992-04-25, S/N KKDWWTM1070 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KNA,KEN,DAC,WEL TERN SAILPLANE (TERN SAILP)
- Registry model: [Knauff-Kenly-Dachille-Welch TERN SAILPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/knauff-kenly-dachille-welch-tern-sailplane) (registry code 05603T8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: KKDWWTM1070
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J.Marshall,G.Oswald,H.Hoglan
- Registered owner: J.Marshall,G.Oswald,H.Hoglan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Cottage Grove State, runway 33, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 557 total, 359 as pilot in command, 134 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 21 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 19920215003129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920215003129A), Feb 15, 1992: Amtr TERN2, Cottage Grove, OR, Destroyed. Glider pitched up on aerial tow. Released, stalled and spun in. Tow hitch on underside for auto tows only.

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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