JEAN, NV, USA
N90614
PRUE IRVING OWEN 160
ON THE INITIAL TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD NO AILERON CONTROL. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE WHEN ABOUT 20 TO 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE RIGHT WING THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER CRASHED. THE PILOT STATED HE FAILED TO PROPERLY CONNECT THE AILERON CONTROL LINKAGE AND THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION DID NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM.
On June 11, 1994, at 1103 hours Pacific daylight time, a Prue 160 glider, N90614, collided with terrain after an in-flight loss of control during the initial takeoff climb from the Jean Airport, Jean, Nevada. The glider was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner. The glider was destroyed and the certificated airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot indicated during the initial takeoff climb he did not have aileron control. The glider pilot aborted the takeoff and released from the tow plane about 20 to 30 feet above the ground. The glider's right wing then dropped, striking the ground first. Post-accident examination of the glider's flight control system revealed the ANC-3 bolt that attaches the aileron torque tubes to the aileron pulley was not properly installed when the glider was assembled for the flight. The pilot stated in his report that he failed to properly connect the aileron control linkage, and inadequate preflight procedures didn't detect the problem.
The pilot's failure to properly connect the aileron control linkage during assembly, and his inadequate preflight which did not detect the problem before flight.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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