First hand information on A21 at San Geronimo, Texas

I am (was) the other owner of the Caproni that went
down at San Geronimo AirPark. I'd like to provide factual
information that may prevent some rumors that appear
to be floating around.

There were four of us that assembled the Caproni.
My partner in the aircraft, his business partner, and
my son. We followed the directions in the manual
and did check each others work to include ensuring
the pins were flush or actually slightly inset from
the wing surface. My partner actually counted the
turns of the upper and lower pins of the right wing
while I was at the end of the wing so I can't confirm
the number of turns. I did check each pin after he
turned them though and they were tight and slightly
inset.

I did not travel to pick up the glider so I can't comment
on what is being said concerning my partner there.
He did drive there in one day and was flying the Caproni
the next day, then drove directly back here after dissassembling
it. He came down with walking pneumonia so I wonder
if he was feeling up to par, but I have not asked him
yet. I've flown with him in a Grob 109 and 103 and
never noted any issues.

I was not there for the maiden flight, so all I know
about the crash is second hand from his business partner
and the pilot himself. The aircraft is absolutely totaled,
I don't know how the pilot survived. He had five broken
ribs, a broken ankle, a collapsed lung, and numerous
bruises. He is out of the hospital and recovering.

It was a beautiful aircraft, and I am heartbroken I
never flew it. I am very glad I did not fly it that
first flight of course.

The FAA never contacted me as the other owner. I have
not heard directly the outcome of the NTSB investigation,
but informally have heard that they determined no pilot
error or assembly error. I hope that is the official
determination. I assume if they had any concerns about
assembly they would have contacted me. I will post
whatever is released.

The pilot is a CFI-G, with over 2000 flights. I have
only 145 glider flights, most of my time was in fighters.
My son and the pilot's business partner are low time
glider pilots.

I've heard nothing about FAA action towards the pilot.


If there are any questions I can answer, I would be
more than happy to do so.

- JJ