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GAA17CA494

2017-08-17 · Moses Lake, Washington, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport W20

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper takeoff configuration due to his failure to follow the pretakeoff checklist, which resulted in a loss of lift and collision with obstacles.

Factual narrative

According to the powered-glider pilot, during takeoff he noticed a slower than usual acceleration, but continued the departure. He reported that, "after lift-off the glider exhibited a poor climb rate although the engine was running smooth." Moments later, the glider stopped climbing, then descended and struck the roof of a building located about 800ft southwest of the departure end of the runway. The glider came to rest upright, after colliding with another structure, and was consumed by a post-crash fire. The pilot recalled that during the startup sequence, he was, "anxious to get back to my home base" and that he had not used the checklist. The pilot reported that he had taken off with the propeller in the cruise setting and the wing spoilers deployed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. According to the powered-glider pilot, during takeoff, he noticed a slower-than-usual acceleration but continued the departure. He reported that, "after lift-off, the glider exhibited a poor climb rate although the engine was running smooth." Moments later, the glider stopped climbing and then descended and struck the roof of a building located about 800 ft southwest of the departure end of the runway. The glider came to rest upright after colliding with another structure and was consumed by a postcrash fire. The pilot recalled that, during the startup sequence, he was "anxious to get back to my home base" and that he had not used the checklist. The pilot reported that he had taken off with the propeller in the cruise setting and the wing spoilers deployed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.     Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Configuration-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA494.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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