As+ LTD AC 4 accident near Blair, Nebraska, May 13, 2017
On May 13, 2017 at about 8:20 pm local time, a 1997 As+ LTD AC 4 (glider), registered N358R, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Blair, Nebraska (Blair Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control due to his diverted attention as he attempted to close the canopy that opened during initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2017 · about 8:20 pm local time · cases in 2017
- Place
- Blair, Nebraska · Blair Municipal Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- As+ LTD AC 4 NO SERIES, built 1997 · all AC 4s on the register
- Registration
- N358R · no longer on the register · serial 025
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was making a personal local flight in the glider. The glider's canopy opened during initial climb while on an aerotow, and the pilot attempted to close the canopy. The glider entered an uncontrolled descent, impacted the departure runway and came to rest about 1,500 ft from the beginning of the runway. The glider's side-opening canopy separated from the fuselage and was found along the wreckage path. Postaccident examination of the canopy latching mechanism revealed that it was intact, and the forward and rear canopy latching pins were firmly attached to the canopy frame. The latching mechanism was actuated and functioned normally. The investigation could not determine why the canopy had opened. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal glider operation.The pilot was taking the medication gabapentin, which could have slowed his response time; however, the primary issue seems to have been his distraction by the open canopy. Whether effects from his medication use contributed to the pilot's lack of attention to flying the glider at the time of the accident could not be determined from the available evidence.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Part(s) separation from AC during initial climb
- Attempted remediation/recovery during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Use of medication/drugs › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 80 hours in all; 55 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 342 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 25, 2017; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 606 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: BTA Blair NE at 8:20 pm
- Destination: BTA Blair NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 2,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from BTA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – Northwest View of Wreckage Path
Photo 2 – Canopy Rail and Latch Mechanism with Forward Latch Pin
Photo 3 - Canopy Rail and Latch Mechanism with Aft Latch PinThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on October 9, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statements | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Wreckage Diagram | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Correspondence - FAA | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 7 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Aircraft Maintenance Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Log | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | The Glider Flying Handbook Excerpt | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N358R: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- As+ Ltd AC-4 24 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Blair Executive · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Nebraska 763 since 1982 · 108 in the last ten years
- Nebraska 2,947 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN17LA181.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.