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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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August 24, 1985 · Valentin Taifun 17E · N164RB

Abilene, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Abilene, TX
Aircraft
Valentin Taifun 17E
Tail Number
N164RB
Operator
Raymond E Boyt
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85FA331

THE GLIDER WAS THERMALING IN A SLOW RIGHT CLIMBING TURN ABOUT 600 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. WITNESSES STATED IT STARTED A RIGHT SPIRALING DESCENT AND THE NOSE SUDDENLY DROPPED UNTIL IT WAS IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE SPIRAL THEN DEVELOPED INTO A TIGHT RIGHT HAND SPIN WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE ALTITUDE AT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE SPIN STARTED. SEVERAL DIFFERENT PILOTS WHO ARE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH GLIDER OPERATION STATED NO PILOT SHOULD ATTEMPT THERMALING (RECEIVING ADEQUATE LIFT FOR FLIGHT FROM RISING AIR CURRENTS) UNLESS HIS ALTITUDE IS AT LEAST 1000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

Full Narrative

THE GLIDER WAS THERMALING IN A SLOW RIGHT CLIMBING TURN ABOUT 600 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. WITNESSES STATED IT STARTED A RIGHT SPIRALING DESCENT AND THE NOSE SUDDENLY DROPPED UNTIL IT WAS IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE SPIRAL THEN DEVELOPED INTO A TIGHT RIGHT HAND SPIN WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE ALTITUDE AT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE SPIN STARTED. SEVERAL DIFFERENT PILOTS WHO ARE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH GLIDER OPERATION STATED NO PILOT SHOULD ATTEMPT THERMALING (RECEIVING ADEQUATE LIFT FOR FLIGHT FROM RISING AIR CURRENTS) UNLESS HIS ALTITUDE IS AT LEAST 1000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:43 CDT
Nearest Airport6nm SE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftValentin Taifun 17E
Tail NumberN164RB
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRaymond E Boyt
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLimbach · L 2000 EB 1.B · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 12 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data