Schleicher ASW-20 N232EM

Summary

On 28 March 2004 at about 21:20 local time, a Schleicher ASW-20 registered N232EM was involved in an accident near Yoder, Kansas, 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

28 March 2004 at 21:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Yoder, Kansas, United States

Nearest airport

Sunflower Aerodrome/Gliderport (SN76)

Coordinates

37.9264, -97.9061

Aircraft

Schleicher ASW-20

Registration

N232EM

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Yoder → Yoder

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI04CA090

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to secure the elevator Louis L'Hotellier connector with a safety pin or wire as directed in several airworthiness directives and his inadequate preflight inspection of the sailplane, both of which resulted in the in-flight loss of elevator control due to the inadvertent disengagement of the elevator Louis L'Hotellier connector.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The experimental sailplane impacted an agricultural field after losing elevator control during initial climb on an aero-tow. Post accident examination of the elevator control system revealed the elevator Louis L'Hotellier ball and swivel joint had become disengaged, which resulted in the loss of elevator control. The Louis L'Hotellier fitting consists of a ball and swivel joint that connects the elevator control rod to the control surface. The purpose of the fitting is to allow the quick disassembly and reassembly of a sailplane. Several airworthiness directives (AD) have been issued for Louis L'Hotellier type fittings in order to "prevent the connectors from becoming inadvertently disconnected, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane or glider." The AD requires the lock plates to be secured either by a safety pin, wire, or other approved method. One specific AD further requires the installation of a placard that states, "All L'Hotellier control system connectors must be secured with safety wire, pins, or safety sleeves, as applicable, prior to operation." According to the pilot, he did not install a safety pin or wire on the elevator fitting prior to the accident flight. Additionally, he reported the sailplane was not equipped with the placard requiring a securing device to be used. The pilot was the owner of the sailplane. The pilot reported completing a "positive control check... although a second person was not available to help." The recognized method of performing a positive control check involves two individuals; one to hold the control surface stationary, while the other individual attempts to move the control stick.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.