Accident Details
Date
Sunday, May 31, 1992
NTSB Number
LAX92LA225
Location
TUCSON, AZ
Event ID
20001211X14695
Coordinates
31.900272, -111.359970
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1
Probable Cause and Findings
THE INFLIGHT DISCONNECTION OF THE RIGHT AILERON 'OTELLIER COUPLER FITTING DUE TO LUBRICANTS ON THE COUPLER SLIDE LOCK PLATE, AND THE FAILURE OF THE GLIDER MANUFACTURER TO INCLUDE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONARY INFORMATION IN THE MAINTENANCE AND/OR FLIGHT MANUAL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FAILURE OF THE GLIDER AND FITTING MANUFACTURERS TO MANDATE FAIL/SAFE DEVICES FOR THE COUPLER FITTING, AND THE DESIGN OF THE GLIDER REGARDING THE FACILITATION OF THE COUPLER CONNECTIONS DURING THE GLIDER ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Aircraft Information
Registration
N8KS
Make
SCHEMPP-HIRTH
Serial Number
325
Model / ICAO
VENTUS A/16.6
Registered Owner (Historical)
Name
CUNDIFF ROY S
Address
361 AVENIDA GRANADA
Status
Deregistered
City
LONG BEACH
State / Zip Code
CA 90814
Country
United States
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX92LA225