# NTSB ATL87LA208: Schleicher K8B, N7624, Monroe, GA, July 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1987, 13:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, GA
- Coordinates: 33.790332, -83.710494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7903&lon=-83.7105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - berm
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - inadequate, airport personnel
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS ON HIS FIRST FLT OF THE DAY IN A GLIDER THAT HE HAD NOT FLOWN RECENTLY. HE REPORTED THE TAKEOFF, TOW AND TRAFFIC PATTERN AS NORMAL. HE USED THE SPOILERS SPARINGLY UNTIL HE TURNED FINAL. HE WAS MOST SURPRISED, HE SAID, WHEN ONE OF THE ACFT'S WINGS CONTACTED A SMALL TREE JUST PRIOR TO TOUCH DOWN. HIS REPORT SHOWS THAT THE IMPACT WITH THE TREE WAS 525 FT SHORT OF THE END OF THE PARALLEL ASPHALT RWY. ALSO SHOWN ON HIS REPORT IS HIS INTENDED GROUND TRACK WHICH IS SHOWN WEST (LEFT) OF THE RWY CENTER LINE. THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER HIT THE TREE. THE ARPT DIAGRAM FOUND IN THE 1987 GEORGIA ARPT DIRECTORY DOES NOT SHOW THE GRASS RWY. ANOTHER GLIDER CLUB OPERATING AT THE ARPT HAD, REPORTEDLY, DISTRIBUTED A DIAGRAM SHOWING THE GRASS RWY STARTING EVEN WITH THE END OF THE PAVED 03 RWY. THERE WERE NO MARKINGS TO SHOW THE CENTER LINE OR THE END OF THE GRASS RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7624 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER K8B
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: S/N 8793
- Airframe hours: 1104
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Georgia Lockheed Em.Rec.
- Registered owner: Georgia Lockheed Em. Rec. Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1987, 47 hours before
- Airport: A06, Monroe Walton County Arpt, runway 3, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 266 total, 93 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 79 °F

## 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 19870712037389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870712037389A), Jul 12, 1987: Schler K8B, Monroe, GA, Substantial damage. The glider hit a tree on final approach. The pilot misjudged the approach and said the tree blended into background

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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