Toland S/Thornburgh J TWIN 503SL accident near Torrance, CA
On February 27, 2009, a Toland S/Thornburgh J TWIN 503SL was involved in an accident near Torrance, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 27, 2009
- Place
- Torrance, CA
- Aircraft
- Toland S/Thornburgh J TWIN 503SL · WSFT
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.803°N, 118.339°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090227X25653
Official records · WPR09LA130
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 26, 2009, about 2100 Pacific standard time, an experimental homebuilt Toland/Thornburgh Twin 503SL weight-shift-control power glider, N426MT, impacted terrain following an unintentional takeoff at Zamperini Field Airport (TOA), Torrance, California. The owner/pilot was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The airline transport pilot sustained serious injuries; the private pilot passenger was killed. The glider sustained substantial damage to the frame and to both wings. The planned local personal flight was in the pre-taxi stage when the accident occurred. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. According to witnesses the glider was parked facing runways 11R/29L, between two hangars on the south side of the airport. Witnesses reported that the owner/pilot was seated in the rear seat, and the pilot-rated passenger was seated in the front seat. After the engine was started, witnesses heard the engine accelerate to full throttle and saw the glider speeding toward a row of parked airplanes. The glider became airborne in a nose up pitch attitude, and nearly struck the parked airplanes. After missing the parked airplanes, when the glider was about 75 to 100 feet above the ground, the glider appeared to stall and impacted the ground between the two runways. The owner/pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. Th
Probable cause
The passenger’s inadvertent activation of the engine throttle.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
