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NTSB Report
March 7, 1988 · Schleicher K-8B · N4663S
Miami, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Schleicher K-8B
Tail Number
N4663S
Operator
Sunspot Soaring
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA88LA121
THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD PLACED THE GLIDER INTO A MILD DIVE & WAS INDICATING 90 TO 95 MPH, WELL BELOW REDLINE SPEED WHEN THE WHOLE SECTION OF THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE WING FROM THE AFT SPAR & WING ROOT OUT TO A DIST OF ABOUT 6 FT, SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LAND WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE FAILED PIECES FELL FROM THE ACFT & WERE NOT RECOVERED, AN EXAM OF THE WING ROOT RIB REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED. THE WING SPOILER ATTACH BRACKET FOR THE SPOILER BELLCRANK IS ATTACHED TO THE FAILED RIB. THE PLT STATED THAT THE SPOILERS FLEW OPEN INADVERTENTLY DURING OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE ACFT IS CONSTRUCTED ENTIRELY OF WOOD.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD PLACED THE GLIDER INTO A MILD DIVE & WAS INDICATING 90 TO 95 MPH, WELL BELOW REDLINE SPEED WHEN THE WHOLE SECTION OF THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE WING FROM THE AFT SPAR & WING ROOT OUT TO A DIST OF ABOUT 6 FT, SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LAND WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE FAILED PIECES FELL FROM THE ACFT & WERE NOT RECOVERED, AN EXAM OF THE WING ROOT RIB REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED. THE WING SPOILER ATTACH BRACKET FOR THE SPOILER BELLCRANK IS ATTACHED TO THE FAILED RIB. THE PLT STATED THAT THE SPOILERS FLEW OPEN INADVERTENTLY DURING OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE ACFT IS CONSTRUCTED ENTIRELY OF WOOD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchleicher K-8B
Tail NumberN4663S
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSunspot Soaring
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC