# NTSB ATL88LA149: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4, N45BD, Chester, SC, April 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1988, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Chester, SC
- Coordinates: 34.69944, -81.210609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6994&lon=-81.2106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - wing,spar - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - flight control,aileron - disabled (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - engaged
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

WHILE THERMALING DURING THE SAILPLANE COMPETITION, N45BD WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER AND TO THE LEFT OF N295SZ. N45BD MADE A RIGHT TURN AND STRUCK THE RIGHT INBOARD WING SECTION OF N294SZ WITH THE OUTBOARD WING TIP OF N45BD. THE OUTBOARD WING TIP OF N45BD SEPARATED AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO PARACHUTE TO SAFETY. THE PILOT OF N295SZ WAS ABLE TO LAND HIS SAILPLANE SAFELY.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

WHILE THERMALING DURING THE SAILPLANE COMPETITION, N45BD WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER AND TO THE LEFT OF N295SZ. N45BD MADE A RIGHT TURN AND STRUCK THE RIGHT INBOARD WING SECTION OF N295SZ WITH THE OUTBOARD WING TIP OF N45BD. THE OUTBOARD WING TIP OF N45BD SEPARATED AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO PARACHUTE TO SAFETY. THE PILOT OF N295SZ WAS ABLE TO LAND HIS SAILPLANE SAFELY.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N45BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45BD-1993-05-04), registration cancelled 1993-05-04, S/N 4091 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-4) (registry code 3801250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4091
- Airframe hours: 800
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John F. Good
- Registered owner: John F Good
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1988
- Departed: 9A6, CHESTER, SC

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N295SZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N295SZ-2011-01-25), registration cancelled 2011-01-25, S/N 4566, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS 4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-4a) (registry code 3801251) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4566
- Airframe hours: 357
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald S. Wasness
- Registered owner: Donald S Wasness
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1987
- Departed: 9A6, CHESTER, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N45BD; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 547 total, 127 in this make and model, 494 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N295SZ; age 56; commercial; seat: center; flight hours: 2,745 total, 49 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT

## FAA reports on this event (2)

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

- [Accident 19880422010132A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880422010132A), Apr 22, 1988: Rolsch LS4, Chester, SC, Destroyed. Collided with another glider, N295SZ, while both circling in a thermal. Lost part of wing on impact and bailed out.
- [Accident 19880422010131A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880422010131A), Apr 22, 1988: Rolsch LS4, Chester, SC, Substantial damage. Struck another glider N45BD. Both circling in a thermal . Was able to land safely. Other glider lost part of 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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