Bolkow PHOEBUS accident near Alvord Desert, Oregon, July 17, 2019
On July 17, 2019 at about 7:25 pm local time, a 1967 Bolkow PHOEBUS (glider), registered N112AJ, was destroyed in an accident during takeoff near Alvord Desert, Oregon. It was a glider-towing 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
Pilot’s failure to properly respond to a slack towline during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control of the glider.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 2019 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Alvord Desert, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bolkow PHOEBUS B1, built 1967
- Registration
- N112AJ · no longer on the register · serial 747
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Glider-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot took off utilizing the auto launch (vehicle-tow) method. Photos taken by a witness revealed that the glider overran the towline, which resulted in a slack towline. The glider then pitched up and, after reaching about 100-150 ft above ground level, rolled to the left and impacted terrain in a near vertical attitude. The tow vehicle driver stated that the truck had not yet accelerated to 60-65 mph needed for the release of the tow cable from inside the cockpit; instead, the truck had only accelerated to 55 mph before the spotter told the driver to stop as the glider impacted the terrain. A slack towline can be caused by a change in speed of either the glider or tow vehicle. If not corrected, a slack towline can result in the loss of control in flight. Also, a change in wind gradient can have a noticeable effect on a glider’s speed during ground launches. When a slack towline is encountered, a pilot should communicate with the tow vehicle to change speed, adjust pitch to control airspeed, or release the tow rope and land straight ahead. The investigation could not determine why the slack towline occurred. Nevertheless, the pilot did not follow recommended procedures for responding to a slack towline and subsequently lost control of the glider.
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 in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 12:52 pm from KREO, 26 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KREO 171952Z AUTO 26011G19KT 31/04 A2996 RMK AO1 SLP102 T03060044
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on February 15, 2022. 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, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Takeoff/crash Photos Composite (Witness Photos) | video | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpt from Sheriff's Statement - Witnesses | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Autopsy Memorandum | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photos (Courtesy of Pd) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.