Glaser-Dirks DG-800B N98NL

Summary

On 21 June 1998 at about 18:30 local time, a Glaser-Dirks DG-800B registered N98NL, operated by David Noyes, was involved in an accident near Jean, Nevada, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 June 1998 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Jean, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Jean (0L7)

Coordinates

35.7492, -115.5297

Aircraft

Glaser-Dirks DG-800B

Registration

N98NL

Category

Glider

Engines

1

Operator

David Noyes

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98LA209

1 person was seriously injured.

The disconnection of the elevator control attachment nut due to improper installation by the manufacturer, which resulted in the pilot's loss of control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider impacted terrain and the pilot reported that he lost elevator control. The bolt connecting the pushrod to the elevator was found, but the attaching nut was not found. The European production glider had a total time of 4 hours since manufacture. The metallurgist who examined the bolt reported the first three threads of the accident bolt did not have debris in the roots; however, proper engagement of the locknut would cause six threads to be free of debris. An exemplar locknut in the hand-tightened only position (without engaging the blue plastic lining of the locknut) caused the nut threads to wipe material from the roots of the first three bolt threads

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.