# NTSB ATL83LA259: Schempp-Hirth Cirrus, N441UJ, Damascus, MD, July 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1983, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Damascus, MD
- Coordinates: 39.290493, -77.219299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2905&lon=-77.2193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6117/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA259

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING AN OFF ARPT FORCED LANDING. THE PLT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT SEE THE POWER LINES UNTIL SHE WAS ON THE FINAL APPROACH. SHE MANEUVERED THE GLIDER TO MISS THE POWERLINES BUT WAS UNABLE TO MISS THE FENCE AND LANDED SHORT. SHE HAD BEEN FLYING IN THERMAL LIFT AND UPON ENCOUNTERING HEAVY SINK WAS FORCED TO LAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N441UJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N441UJ), registered now, S/N 55, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH CIRRUS
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-cirrus) (registry code 38019VC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 55
- Airframe hours: 750
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry Gaudet
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 24, 1983, 55 hours before
- Departed: M078, WOODBINE, MD
- Airport: Clearview

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 141 total, 24 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830707029939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830707029939A), Jul 7, 1983: Sphrth CIRRUS, Damascus, MD, Destroyed. Encountered high sink rate. Elected to make off airport landing. Chose unsuitable site. Glider struck a fence.

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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