# NTSB ATL88LA151: Cirrus Design Standard, N3LB, Chester, SC, April 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1988, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Chester, SC
- Coordinates: 34.699123, -81.209167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6991&lon=-81.2092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING AND STRUCK TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3LB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3LB-1988-07-21), registration cancelled 1988-07-21, S/N 236 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cirrus Design Corp. STANDARD
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-standard-cirrus) (registry code 38019VE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 236
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clarendon Bowman
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1987, 28 hours before
- Departed: 9A6, CHESTER, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,933 total, 165 in this make and model, 2,527 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 27 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 19880422010129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880422010129A), Apr 22, 1988: Sphrth CIRRUSSTD, Chester, SC, Substantial damage. Collided with trees trying to land in a plowed field after losing updrafts and unable to return to airport.

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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