# NTSB ATL83FA299: Schweizer SGS 1-23G, N3843A, Warrenton, VA, July 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1983, 15:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Warrenton, VA
- Location: 38.7154° N, 77.7976° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Warrenton, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7154&lon=-77.7976&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA299

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 4,500 FT THE GLIDER WAS OVSERVED TO PULL UP INTO A STALL & ENTER A SPIN WHICH CONTINUED FOR THREE TURNS. THE GLIDER CAME OUT OF THE SPIN INTO A LEFT SPIRAL & APPEARED TO BE TRAVELING AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. THE NOSE THEN 'TUCKED UNDER' UNTIL THE GLIDER WAS INVERTED. WHAT APPEARED TO BE A TWO TO THREE TURN INVERTED SPIN FOLLOWED. THE GLIDER RECOVERED FROM THE SPIN & FLEW INVERTED FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. IT THEN APPEARED TO ROLL UPRIGHT BRIEFLY, BUT RETURNED TO THE INVERTED POSITION BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. THE FLIGHT MANUAL WHICH ACCOMPANIED THIS ACFT ADVISES 'THE 1-23H OR 1-23H-15 IS AEROBATIC, BUT EXTREME CAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN NOT TO EXCEED PLACARD SPEED. PILOTS WITH NO AEROBATIC EXPERIENCE SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT INVERTED OR DIFFICULT MANEUVERS WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF DUAL IN SUCH.' UNDER THE TOPIC OF SPINS THE MANUAL ALSO STATED 'RECOVERY IS NORMAL. CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN NOT TO DUMP STICK TOO MUCH AS SHIP MAY GO BEYOND VERTICAL.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3843A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-23G
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 42
- Airframe hours: 916
- Engines: unknown OTHER 09 unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: National Captial Soaring Ass.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1983

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 140 total, 2 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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