Amateur-built HP-14 accident near Sturtevant, Wisconsin, October 27, 2001
On October 27, 2001 at about 2:30 pm local time, a amateur-built HP-14 (glider), registered N8833, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sturtevant, Wisconsin (Sylvania Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The restricted movement of the aileron control system for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2001 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sturtevant, Wisconsin · Sylvania Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built HP-14
- Registration
- N8833 · registry record · serial 75
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider impacted terrain while attempting an off-airport landing. The pilot reported that she had an aileron flight control problem during the accident flight. The pilot stated turns to the right were made without any anomalies and turns to the left were "stiff and resistant". The pilot reported, "Aircraft did not respond as usual. Airspeed did not equate to attitude." The pilot stated, "There was a sound of air being forced through a crevice or a hole." The pilot described the sound as a "hum or whine". The pilot elected to turn back to the airport and attempt a normal traffic pattern and landing. The pilot reported she executed a right and left turn while on the downwind leg and the turn to the left was "stiff, sluggish and slow to respond." The pilot stated during a right turn to the final approach course she was unable to stop the right turn using left control stick input. The pilot elected to land on a rough and uneven agricultural field adjacent to the airport. A witness to the accident reported the glider had made both right and left turns while in the traffic pattern. According to the Soaring Flight Manual, as published by the Soaring Society of America, "[A turning slip] is accomplished by applying rudder opposite to the turn while maintaining the bank angle with aileron." The manual states, "Caution should be exercised during slips since the airspeed indicator is not accurate. The reason for this situation is that air does not flow directly into the pitot tube in uncoordinated flight. References, such as the position of the nose with respect to the horizon, and sound are usually more reliable." An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performed the post-accident inspection of the glider. The FAA inspector reported, "To the extent possible, I examined all the flight controls for control continuity, and found no abnormalities."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,485 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 85 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 1,431 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 28, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 3, 2001
- Maximum gross weight: 786 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C89 Sturtevant WI
- Destination: C89 Sturtevant WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26R, 2,343 ft by 120 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.40 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from ENW, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.