# NTSB ATL83FA377: Schweizer SGS 1-23, N124M, Battleboro, NC, September 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1983, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Battleboro, NC
- Coordinates: 36.039165, -77.749588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0392&lon=-77.7496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA377

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT SPUN INTO THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RWY ON FINAL APPROACH. THIS GLIDER WAS TOWED ALOFT AND FLEW IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR OVER AN HOUR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE GLIDER ENTER THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, TURN BASE AND OVERSHOOT THE TURN TO FINAL. THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP LEFT TURN FOLLOWED BY A SPIN FROM ABOUT 150 AGL. THIS WAS THE FIRST GLIDER FLT FOR THE PLT IN OVER 6 MONTHS. THE ACFT IMPACTED ON THE NOSE AND LEFT WING. A SHOULDER HARNESS WAS AVAILABLE BUT WAS NOT USED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N124M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-23
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3
- Airframe hours: 735
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry M. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1983, 3 hours before
- Departed: BATTLEBORO, NC
- Airport: Pvt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 578 total, 444 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Observed at: RWI, 14 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830924050709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830924050709A), Sep 24, 1983: Scwzer SGS123, Battleboro, NC, Substantial damage. Glider entered spin when turning base leg to final approach for landing. Pilot was not glider rated.

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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