Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A powered airplane was towing the glider. During the takeoff roll, the glider lifted off the ground and began to rise too high. The pilot overcorrected the glider and it struck the ground. 'Pilot induced oscillations' ensued, and the pilot could not control them. The pilot released the towrope, and the glider 'cartwheeled' on the ground before coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported 250 hours of total experience in gliders, with no experience in make and model.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 7, 2000, about 1240 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt HP-18, a glider, N67TT, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Kutztown Airport, Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, a powered airplane was towing the glider. During the takeoff roll, the glider lifted off the ground and began to rise too high. The pilot overcorrected the glider and it struck the ground. "Pilot induced oscillations" ensued, and the pilot could not control them. The pilot released the towrope, and the glider "cartwheeled" on the ground before coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported 250 hours of total experience in gliders, with no experience in make and model.