# NTSB ATL85LA267: Bryan HP-14, N5DB, Aiken, SC, September 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1985, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Aiken, SC
- Coordinates: 33.539417, -81.719718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5394&lon=-81.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA267

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT REPORTED THAT SAILPLANE WAS POSITIONED FOR A TOW IN TALL GRASS BESIDE THE RWY. HE SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF THE LEFT WING WAS SLOWED BY THE TALL GRASS ALLOWING THE RIGHT WING TO ACCELERATE. THE SAILPLANE YAWED LEFT AND ROLLED LEFT UNTIL 90 DEGREES TO FLIGHT PATH. TOW ROPE DETACHED FROM TOW RING ON GLIDER. GLIDER PITCHED DOWN AND CONTACTED GROUND. FUSELAGE WAS BENT AS GLIDER SLID SIDEWAYS TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5DB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5DB), registered now, S/N 14-26, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRYAN HP-14
- Registry model: [Sailplane HP-14](https://openairdocs.org/model/sailplane-hp-14) (registry code 056034P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 14-26
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Willarrd M. Davidson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1985
- Airport: AIK, Aiken Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,995 total, 105 in this make and model, 4,989 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 20 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 19850902042299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850902042299A), Sep 2, 1985: Amtrbr HP14, Aiken, SC, Substantial damage. Takeoff tow on high grass adjacent to runway. Left wing caught grass. Swerved glider. Hit on nose and right wing.

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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