Glaser-Dirks DG 400/17 accident near Truckee, California, September 23, 1990
On September 23, 1990 at about 1:40 am local time, a Glaser-Dirks DG 400/17 (glider), registered N567DA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Truckee, California (Truckee-Tahoe airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE UNCOMMANDED DEPLOYMENT OF THE RIGHT SPOILER SYSTEM DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF A SPRING PIN NOT FITTED TO THE QUICK DISCONNECT AS RECOMMENDED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT LOSING CONTROL OF THE GLIDER DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 1990 · about 1:40 am local time
- Place
- Truckee, California · Truckee-Tahoe
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Glaser-Dirks DG 400/17 · all DG 400/17s on the register
- Registration
- N567DA · no longer on the register · serial 4-39
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF A SELF LAUNCHED POWERED GLIDER PERFORMED AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE SPOILER PRIOR TO LANDING. THE RIGHT HAND SPOILER REMAINED DEPLOYED AFTER RETRACTION RESULTING IN AN ASYMMETRICAL LIFT CONDITION. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE CONTROL QUICK DISCONNECT SPRING PIN HAD NOT BEEN FITTED INTO THE CONTROL HOLE AS RECOMMENDED WHICH RESULTED IN THE QUICK DISCONNECT TO THE SPOILER DISCONNECTING FROM THE RIGHT HAND SPOILER ROD END BALL.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 552 hours in all; 365 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 515 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 365 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 6, 1990; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,058 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 4,650 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.