Do you assemble your glider paying good attention to it?

Another glider pilot just sent me this link which show a Caproni's wing
come off on launch due to improper assembly.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...D=16260 18608

It's a good reminder, especially given the NTSB report:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...01X01062&key=1

Fly safely!

Martin

Comments;

1) Rare video of a rare event. I wish that the videographer had kept
videotaping.
2) The NTSB report says that the wing separated "at the
wing-to-fuselage attachment point." Wrong, it was clearly outboard of
that. Seems like an odd place for a multi part wing to be coupled.
3) The NTSB report says that the "glider descended back onto the
runway". I don't see it ever lifting off.
4) If the plane never left the ground, why was the FAA and NTSB
contacted? Insurance purposes?
5) What is the tow plane?

- John

Earlier, ContestID67 wrote:

4) If the plane never left the ground, why was the FAA and NTSB
contacted? Insurance purposes?

The answer to that probably lies in 14CFR 830, section 2:

- As used in this part the following words or
- phrases are defined as follows:
- "Aircraft accident" means an occurrence associated with the
- operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time
- any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight
- and all such persons have disembarked, and in which any
- person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the
- aircraft receives substantial damage.

To my way of thinking, that makes what's shown in the video an
"aircraft accident."

As to why it was reported, I'd imagine that some responsible person was
complying with 14CFR 830, section 5, which says:

- The operator of an aircraft shall immediately, and by the
- most expeditious means available, notify the nearest
- National Transportation Safety Board (Board), field
- office /1/ when:
- ...
- (a) An aircraft accident or any of the following listed incidents
occur:
- ...

Thanks, Bob K.

5) What is the tow plane?

A Maule?

I've got a redundant assembly system--I use tape on the wing root. If the
primary attach mechanisms fail, I've still got the tape. No worries.

And if you think that sounds stupid, wait until you hear the arguments
against having someone check your work and sign that piece of tape.
Spring's coming. Plan/Do/Check/Act.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Another glider pilot just sent me this link which show a Caproni's wing
come off on launch due to improper assembly.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...D=16260 18608

It's a good reminder, especially given the NTSB report:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...01X01062&key=1

Fly safely!

Martin

I am very familiar with this particlar glider, having flown it many
times in Tehachapi, CA. It was a wonderful flying glider but assembly
is difficult and heavy.

The accident had several causes but according to what I hear it was
mostly a classic case of "gottaflyititus."

The new owners did not read the manual or instruction sheet when they
assembled it (for the first time), didn't look at the video tape that
they made in Tehachapi, couldn't wait for a local Caproni owner to come
help with the first time assembly, couldn't wait for the proper tow
plane, screwed in the wing connection from the top of the wing, and
screwed it out from the bottom.

BTW, we towed it with a Pawnee in Tehachapi.

wrote:
Another glider pilot just sent me this link which show a Caproni's wing
come off on launch due to improper assembly.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...D=16260 18608

It's a good reminder, especially given the NTSB report:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...01X01062&key=1

Fly safely!

Martin

What do you mean by this ?!

"raulb" wrote in message
oups.com...
, screwed in the wing connection from the top of the wing, and
screwed it out from the bottom.