Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 N64UW
27 May 1995 · Montague, California, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 27 May 1995 at about 19:30 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 registered N64UW was involved in an accident near Montague, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Montague, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Montague/Yreka Roher (105)
- Coordinates
- 41.5104, -122.3606
- Aircraft
- Rolladen-Schneider LS-6
- Registration
- N64UW
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX95LA196
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to properly connect the aileron/flaperon quick disconnect fitting during assembly of the glider, and his inadequate preflight inspection.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE AND REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED ALOFT BY A TOW PLANE. THE WITNESSES SAID THE TOW PLANE LIFTED OFF NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE GLIDER DID NOT SEEM TO LIFT OFF IN A NORMAL MANNER. AS THE GLIDER ACHIEVED ABOUT 50 FEET AGL, THE PILOT RELEASED THE TOW LINE. THE GLIDER THEN BANKED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, THEN ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT ROLL CONTINUED UNTIL THE GLIDER WAS AT A VERY STEEP BANK ANGLE AND ENTERED A SPIRAL, WHICH CONTINUED TO GROUND IMPACT. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES, NO ONE SAW THE PILOT PERFORM A CONTROL CONTINUITY CHECK AFTER ASSEMBLY OF THE GLIDER PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. A FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT SITE AND EXAMINED THE GLIDER. HE REPORTED THAT THE GLIDER IS EQUIPPED WITH QUICK DISCONNECT FITTINGS ON THE CONTROL SYSTEM PUSH/PULL TUBES IN THE WING CENTER SECTION. THE FITTINGS ALLOW THE CONTROL SYSTEM TO BE DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED AS THE WINGS ARE REMOVED OR INSTALLED. THE RIGHT AILERON/FLAPERON FITTING WAS FOUND DISCONNECTED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Jul 1998 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 | Llano, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 22 Jun 1991 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 | Boerne, Texas, United States | Gene Sprague | No injuries | - |
| 19 Feb 1990 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 | Cabins, West Virginia, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Aug 1986 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 | Uvalde, Texas, United States | James Andrews, III | No injuries | - |
| 13 Sep 2013 | Rolladen-Schneider LS 6 | Sussex, New Jersey, United States | Dunning Robert L | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Jun 2022 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 | Tahoe Vista, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 1995 | Ed Bergreen KIS | San Leandro, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Jun 1995 | Spreuer COZY | Oceanside, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jun 1995 | Cessna 182P | Susanville, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jun 1995 | Cessna 150M | Turlock, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 Jun 1995 | Piper PA-28-181 | Palm Springs, California, United States | Alan L. Kaplan | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jun 1995 | Piper PA-34-200 | Avalon, California, United States | Aero Club | No injuries | - |