Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1 accident near Mocksville, North Carolina, May 28, 2012
On May 28, 2012 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1 (glider), registered N817V, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Mocksville, North Carolina (Bahson Gliderport airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider pilot's failure to attain and maintain directional control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2012 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mocksville, North Carolina · Bahson Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1 · all SZD-55-1s on the register
- Registration
- N817V · registry record · serial 551192035
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, the glider's heading differed about 5 degrees from that of the towplane when the towplane began its takeoff roll. The pilot used rudder to correct the heading, but the glider dragged a wing and yawed 70 degrees to its right. The glider lifted 3 to 5 feet above the runway, the pilot released the tow, the glider touched down in a sideslip, and the resultant side load on the tail landing gear "buckled the tailboom 90 [degrees]." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the glider that would have prevented normal operation, and that the accident might have been prevented by ensuring alignment of the glider with the towplane prior to the takeoff roll.
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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 107 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 87 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 19, 2012
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,143 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 28, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: 43NC Mocksville NC at 6:00 pm
- Destination: 43NC Mocksville NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01L, 3,000 ft by 260 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from KINT, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N817V the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.