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NTSB Report
March 20, 1988 · Slingsby DART T-51 · N209K
Whitwell, TN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Whitwell, TN
Aircraft
Slingsby DART T-51
Tail Number
N209K
Operator
J J Newell
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL88LA120
THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A NORMAL RELEASE. WHILE STILL IN A TURN IT ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHEAR AND ROLLED INTO A VERTICAL BANK. IT SIDESLIPPED FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN THE NOSE DROPPED INTO A VERTICAL DIVE. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT INTO LEVEL FLIGHT THE ACFT BROKE APART. THE PLT USED THE PARACHUTE AND RECEIVED A BROKEN ANKLE. THE PRIVATE PILOT TEST STANDARD DOES NOT ADDRESS HIGH SPEED UNUSUAL ATTITUDE RECOVERIES IN GLIDERS.
Full Narrative
THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A NORMAL RELEASE. WHILE STILL IN A TURN IT ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHEAR AND ROLLED INTO A VERTICAL BANK. IT SIDESLIPPED FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN THE NOSE DROPPED INTO A VERTICAL DIVE. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT INTO LEVEL FLIGHT THE ACFT BROKE APART. THE PLT USED THE PARACHUTE AND RECEIVED A BROKEN ANKLE. THE PRIVATE PILOT TEST STANDARD DOES NOT ADDRESS HIGH SPEED UNUSUAL ATTITUDE RECOVERIES IN GLIDERS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:02 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSlingsby DART T-51
Tail NumberN209K
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJ J Newell
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:50
Weather SourceWFAC