# NTSB ATL86LA253: Schleicher ASW-19B, N15FW, Griffin, GA, September 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1986, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Griffin, GA
- Coordinates: 33.290985, -84.279235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2910&lon=-84.2792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA253

## 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 - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER DEPARTED ON AN AERIAL TOW AND WAS RELEASED AT 1700' AGL. INTENTION OF THE FLT WAS AN OUT AND BACK X-COUNTRY. DURING THE FLT THE PLT COULD NOT FIND LIFT AND RADIOED A FRIEND, ALSO IN A GLIDER, THAT HE INTENDED TO LAND AT A SOD STRIP. THE PLT STATED THAT THE LAST THING HE CLEARLY REMEMBERS WAS BEING JUST NORTH OF GRIFFIN. HE DID REMEMBER COMING OVER THE INTENDED LANDING STRIP AND SEEING POWER LINES AND TREES AT ONE END AND TREES ON THE OTHER. HE STATED HE THOUGHT THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED FROM HIS NORMAL APCH PROCEDURES AND ALLOWED THE ACFT TO STALL AND ENTER A SPIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15FW-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 19406, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-19B
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-19B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-19b) (registry code 3801505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 19406
- Airframe hours: 198
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Valley & P. Crane
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1986
- Departed: 3GA7, WILLIAMSON, GA
- Airport: 6A2, Spalding County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,444 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,430 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19860913046049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860913046049A), Sep 13, 1986: Schler ASW19B, Griffin, GA, Destroyed. The glider stalled and spun into trees while avoiding powerlines at the approach end of a private strip.

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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