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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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NTSB Report

May 16, 1998 · As AC-4 · N158R

Cedar Fort, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Cedar Fort, UT
Aircraft
As AC-4
Tail Number
N158R
Operator
Richard S Smith
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW98LA223

While on down wind in the landing pattern, the aircraft was observed to enter a nose low attitude and impact the ground. Weather at the time was clear skies and calm winds. Examination of the aircraft provided no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The pilot had accumulated 5 hours experience in aircraft make and model.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure by the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor was lack of experience in make and model.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 1998, at 1415 mountain daylight time, an AS+ Ltd. AC-4 glider, N158R, was destroyed while landing at Cedar Valley Airport, near Cedar Fort, Utah. The private pilot and sole occupant received serious injuries. The aircraft was being operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area personal flight which originated approximately 5 minutes before the accident. No flight plan was filed. According to available information, the wind was calm. Witnesses reported that while on down wind, the aircraft assumed a nose low attitude and impacted the ground. According to FAA records, the aircraft was first registered approximately a month before the accident and the pilot reported he had accumulated 5 hours of flight experience in the accident aircraft make and model. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector provided no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The pilot provided minimal information on NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report Form) and did not return calls from either the Safety Board IIC or FAA inspector assigned.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 MDT
Nearest AirportCedar Valley (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAs AC-4
Tail NumberN158R
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRichard S Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data