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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 15, 1995 · Slingsby T-51 · N88966

Odessa, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Odessa, TX
Aircraft
Slingsby T-51
Tail Number
N88966
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA299

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE 'ENCOUNTERED [A] STRONG SINK AND ASSOCIATED WINDSHEAR TURBULENCE', WHILE ON A BASE LEG TURN FOR LANDING. DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, THE 'GLIDER'S RIGHT WING DROPPED [AND] THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN [RESULTING] IN A STALL/SPIN.' DURING RECOVERY FROM THE SPIN, THE GLIDER'S RIGHT WING STRUCK A FENCE. TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE GLIDER 'CARTWHEEL' FOLLOWING CONTACT WITH THE FENCE. BOTH WINGS, AND THE TAIL SECTION WERE FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE WINDSHEAR.

Full Narrative

On July 15, 1995, at 1520 central daylight time, a Slingsby T-51 glider, N88966, was substantially damaged when it struck a fence following a loss of control during approach to Schlemeyer Field, near Odessa, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The glider, owned by the pilot, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, he "encountered [a] strong sink and associated windshear turbulence" while on a base leg turn for landing on runway 16L. He further reported that, during his turn to final, the glider's "right wing dropped [and] the nose pitched down [resulting] in a "stall/spin." During recovery from the spin, the glider's right wing struck a fence. Two witnesses observed the glider "cartwheel" following contact with the fence. The glider came to rest inverted. Both wings, and the tail section, were found separated from the fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSlingsby T-51
Tail NumberN88966
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 12 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data