ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 40669
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| Date: | Saturday 29 July 2000 |
| Time: | 15:00 |
| Type: |  LET L-23 Super Blaník |
| Owner/operator: | The Soaring Club Of Houston |
| Registration: | N105LW |
| MSN: | 938105 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1399 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Waller, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Waller, TX (89TA) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot of the towplane reported that the takeoff was normal, and while climbing through 600 feet agl, he initiated a turn to the east and he felt the glider release as the airplane was turning. Witnesses reported that when the towplane turned left, the glider continued straight ahead and entered a climb. The glider then entered an uncoordinated turn to the right toward the airport. Subsequently, the glider's nose dropped, and it entered a spin and impacted the ground. When the tow plane landed it was evident that the tow rope had separated, and the glider pilot had not released in the normal manner. The 5/16-inch polypropylene rope separated at a point 25 feet forward of the glider attach point. The rope's fibers, at the point of separation, were frayed and uneven. The remainder of the rope was clean and free of abrasions, knots, and nicks. According to toxicology tests, 0.034 (ug/ml,ug/g) diphenhydramine was detected in the pilot's blood, and an unquantified amount was found in the urine. Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter drug used as an antihistamine. Results of a study on diphenhydramine concluded that it adversely affects a person's ability to maneuver an automobile.
Probable Cause: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while maneuvering. Contributory factors were the in-flight separation of the tow rope and the pilot's physical impairment from his use of diphenhyrdramine.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20001212X21474&key=1
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:23 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 12-Dec-2017 18:56 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
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