Flug-Und Fahrzeugwerke (Ffa) DIAMENT 16.5 N808VV
26 July 1989 · Marana, Arizona, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 26 July 1989 at about 20:59 local time, a Flug-Und Fahrzeugwerke (Ffa) DIAMENT 16.5 registered N808VV, operated by George Kulesza, was involved in an accident near Marana, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:59
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Marana, Arizona, United States
- Nearest airport
- El Tiro
- Coordinates
- 32.4501, -111.2894
- Aircraft
- Flug-Und Fahrzeugwerke (Ffa) DIAMENT 16.5
- Registration
- N808VV
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- George Kulesza
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX89LA248
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL RESULTING FROM AN UNCOMMANDED UPWARD PITCH SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT AND A WITNESS REPORTED THE GLIDER UNEXPECTEDLY PITCHED UP, STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF FROM A GLIDER PORT. A SUSPECTED ROD TO THE ELEVATOR WAS EXAMINED BY A METALLURGIST. HE CONCLUDED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE OR CORROSION AND THE FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF A SINGLE RAPID OVERLOAD. THERE WERE NO OTHER ANOMALIES FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 1989 | Cessna 180 | Flagstaff, Arizona, United States | George Thomas | No injuries | - |
| 21 Sep 1989 | Cessna 152 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | Button Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 27 Sep 1989 | Robinson R22 | Scottsdale, Arizona, United States | Arizona Wing and Rotor | No injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 1989 | Roger Nelson AERONICA/T | Sierra Vista, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 11 Oct 1989 | Hiller UH-12E | Yuma, Arizona, United States | West Farm Air Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 Oct 1989 | Rand Engineering KR-II | Eloy, Arizona, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |