Glaser-Dirks DG400 N360GG

Summary

On 14 November 1992 at about 23:00 local time, a Glaser-Dirks DG400 registered N360GG, operated by Gary B. Gammal, was involved in an accident near Calistoga, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 November 1992 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Calistoga, California, United States

Nearest airport

Calistoga Glider Port (O58)

Coordinates

38.6190, -122.6095

Aircraft

Glaser-Dirks DG400

Registration

N360GG

Category

Glider

Operator

Gary B. Gammal

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA039

Nobody was injured.

THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES DUE TO A SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE CABLE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND CONDITION DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT SAID, AND GROUND WITNESSES CONFIRMED, THAT HE LANDED IN A 15 KNOT TAILWIND ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE GLIDER, NO RESISTANCE WAS FELT ON THE BRAKE CONTROL HANDLE AND THE GLIDER WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHEN HE KNEW HE COULD NOT STOP PRIOR TO OVER RUNNING THE END OF THE RUNWAY HE STEERED THE AIRCRAFT TOWARD A WOODEN WALL OF A COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSTEAD OF LETTING THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUE TOWARD A CHAIN LINK FENCE. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE EXPERIMENTAL GLIDER AND FOUND THAT A 1.6MM STEEL CABLE WHICH RUNS BETWEEN THE COCKPIT BRAKE HANDLE AND THE MAIN WHEEL BRAKE ACTUATOR HAD SEPARATED. THE INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE REASON FOR THE CABLE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.