# NTSB WPR12FA010: DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, N7760A, Cle Elum, WA, October 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2011, 15:58 local (22:58 UTC) - Place: Cle Elum, WA - Coordinates: 47.194168, -120.883331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1942&lon=-120.8833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82059 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12FA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82059/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82059 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA010 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and control after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3802570), [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. - [Takeoff: Glider tow event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/510/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3802570), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses reported that the glider became airborne within the first one-third of the runway during an automobile ground launch. The glider then pitched to a steep nose-high attitude and ascended through about 100 to 125 feet when the rope broke. The glider continued to ascend and momentarily leveled off near the end of the runway. The glider then entered a steep right bank angle turn and descended, turning about 300 degrees from its initial departure heading before it impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed no evidence of a malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The glider’s right turn and associated steep bank angle likely resulted in a significant loss of airspeed and subsequent aerodynamic stall at a low altitude, with insufficient altitude for the pilot to recover. It is also likely that the tow rope reached its maximum tensile load and broke as a result of the rapid pitch-up maneuver after takeoff. The reason for the rapid pitch up maneuver could not be determined. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 13, 2011, about 1558 Pacific daylight time, a Flugzeugbau DG 1000 S glider, N7760A, impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude shortly after takeoff from the Cle Elum Municipal Airport (S93), Cle Elum, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the glider, was fatally injured. The 2-seat glider sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and wings. The glider was registered to Northwest Eagle Soaring LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The accident occurred shortly after an automobile ground launch of the glider. The launch sequence was filmed in support of the production of a television commercial. A full-size sport utility vehicle was used to ground launch the glider; the launch commenced near the threshold of runway 7. The driver of the tow vehicle reported that he towed the glider multiple times in the days preceding the accident flight. The morning of the accident, the tow vehicle driver and glider pilot briefed the flight; the driver reported that the pilot instructed him to reach 70 mph in the tow vehicle as quickly as possible so the glider could become airborne. The pilot planned to become airborne and then circle back to the airport to land. The driver reported that he reached 70 mph near the midpoint of the runway and that he observed the glider, in his mirror, become airborne. A ground support person that was riding in the tow vehicle reported to the driver that the glider was aloft, but that the tow rope had broken, so he instructed the driver to exit the runway. The driver reported that shortly thereafter, he observed the glider nose-dive into the ground. A witness located near the accident site recorded a short video of the airplane on his cellular phone. The video captured the several seconds of the accident sequence prior to impact. The video images revealed that the glider began its takeoff roll near the approach end of runway 7, towed by the sport utility vehicle. As the tow vehicle accelerated, the glider became airborne and remained wings level, in ground effect, until about the midpoint of the runway. Shortly after reaching the midpoint of the runway, the glider pitched to a steep nose-high attitude and began to climb while still tethered to the tow vehicle. As the climb progressed, the tow rope slackened and fell to the ground. The glider then pitched to a cruise-like level attitude and remained over the runway, wings level, on an easterly heading about 200 feet above the runway. Near the departure end of the runway, the glider entered a steep banked turn to the right. The glider's nose dropped as the bank increased. As it descended, the glider rotated approximately 300 degrees from its initial departure heading before it impacted terrain in a steep nose-low attitude. Other witnesses located adjacent to the departure runwayreported that the first stage of the automobile ground launch appeared normal, and the glider became airborne within the first one-third of the runway. Shortly thereafter, about three-quarters of the way down the runway, the glider pitched to a steep nose-high attitude. As the glider ascended through about 100 – 125 feet above the ground, the rope slackened. The glider continued to ascend, and then leveled off about 200 feet above the end of the runway. Shortly after, the glider entered a steep right bank and descended into the ground. As it descended, the glider turned approximately 300 degrees from its initial departure heading before it impacted terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 53, held a commercial pilot certificate with glider, airplane single-engine land, single-engine sea and instrument ratings. The pilot also held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine land, glider and instrument ratings. The pilot held a second-class airman medical certificate issued August 5, 2011, with a limitation that he wear corrective lenses. The pilot's logbook was not recovered for examination. On the pilot's most recent application for the medical certificate, he reported 1,610 total civilian flight hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The DG-1000S tow-seat glider was manufactured in Germany by DG Flugzeugbau, Gmbh. The glider was largely constructed with composite materials and incorporated a retractable main landing gear. The glider was issued a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness certificate in December of 2003. A review of the maintenance logbook revealed that an annual inspection was completed on September 28, 2011, at an airframe total time of 764 hours. Tow Vehicle: A full-size sport utility vehicle was used to tow the glider. The nylon tow rope used measured approximately 234 feet and was 5/16-inch in diameter. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The closest aviation weather observation was recorded at Ellensburg, Washington, about 17 miles southeast of the accident location, at 1553. The following conditions were reported: winds from 160 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky condition clear, temperature 60 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 35 degrees Fahrenheit, altimeter setting 30.09 inches of mercury. AIRPORT INFORMATION Cle Elum Municipal Airport is located in a valley at an elevation of 1,944 feet, and is surrounded by rising mountainous terrain. The airport has a hard-surfaced asphalt runway, which constitutes runways 07 and 25. Runway 07 is 2,552 feet long and 40 feet wide. The runway is bordered to the north by large conifer trees. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The glider was mostly intact and came to rest in high grass adjacent to the departure end of runway 07. A postaccident examination of the glider by representatives from the NTSB and FAA showed extensive impact damage to the cockpit and forward section of the glider. Flight control continuity to the elevator, flight spoilers and ailerons wasestablished. Examination of the glider revealed no evidence of a preexisting malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. A complete examination report is contained within the public docket. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was coordinated by the Kittitas County Coroner, with the cause of death reported as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicological tests on specimens recovered from the pilot were performed by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute. The results were negative for all screened drug substances and ingested alcohol. Refer to the toxicology report included in the public docket for specific test parameters and results. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The tow rope broke during the initial takeoff; however, examination of the rope and associated hardware showed no evidence of a preexisting malfunction or excessive wear that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7760A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7760A-2012-03-06), registration cancelled 2012-03-06, S/N 10-34S33, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DG FLUGZEUGBAU GMBH DG 1000S - Registry model: [DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S](https://openairdocs.org/model/dg-flugzeugbau-dg-1000s) (registry code 3802570) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 10-34S33 - Airframe hours: 764 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Northwest Eagle Soaring LLC - Registered owner: Northwest Eagle Soaring LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 2011 - Departed: S93, Cle Elum, WA - Destination: S93, Cle Elum, WA - Airport: S93, Cle Elum Municipal Airport, runway 07, 2,552 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,610 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,610 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: ELN, 17 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 20111013024189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111013024189A), Oct 13, 2011: Dg Flugzeugbau Gmbh DG 1000S, Cle Elum, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During an auto-tow launch at approx. 75 feet, the pilot experienced a cable break. The pilot released the cable from the aircraft while continuing to climb to… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82059. 2.8 MB in all. - GPS 17 - Specialist's Factual Report (3 Embedded Images) (item 1, .PDF, 3 photos, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=GPS%2017%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20(3%20Embedded%20Images)-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 839 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Examination Report (9 Embedded Images) (item 3, .PDF, 9 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Examination%20Report%20(9%20Embedded%20Images)-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 5, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390846&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Video 1 - Witness Video (item 6, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389072&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Video%201%20-%20Witness%20Video-Master.PDF 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.