Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC89LA018

METHUEN, MA, USA

Aircraft #1

N2737H

SCHWEIZER 1-35C

Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE FAILED TO CONNECT HIS AILERONS WHEN HE ASSEMBLED THE GLIDER. HE DID NOT MAKE A FLIGHT CONTROL CHECK AND ACCEPTED AN AERO TOW TO GET AIRBORNE. AFTER AIRBORNE, HE DISCOVERED THE MISTAKE AND STAYED ATTACHED UNTIL 1500 FEET AT WHICH TIME HE RELEASED. HE SAID TURBULENCE CAUSED THE GLIDER TO ENTER A SPIRAL AND WHEN HE RECOVERED, HE WAS TOO LOW TO MAKE A FIELD. HE SAID HE STRUCK A TREE ON APPROACH AND FLIPPED OVER.

Probable Cause and Findings

PILOT UNCONTROLLED CONTACT WITH A TREE DURING A LANDING AFTER THE PILOT FAILED TO CONNECT HIS AILERON CONTROLS AND ACCEPTED A TOW TO GET AIRBORNE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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