# NTSB ATL91LA106: Glaser-Dirks DG-200, N202DG, Marshallville, GA, June 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1991, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Marshallville, GA
- Coordinates: 32.450515, -83.939338 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4505&lon=-83.9393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA106

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND THE INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF THERMAL LIFTING ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT WAS ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHEN THERMAL LIFTING ACTION WAS LOST. HE INITIATED A TURN TO PREPARE FOR A FINAL GLIDE. WHILE IN THE TURN, THE GLIDER YAWED TO THE LEFT, AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. AFTER ABOUT 1 1/2 ROTATIONS OF A SPIN, THE LEFT WING TIP COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, AND THE GLIDER CARTWHEELED. NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N202DG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N202DG-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 2-149/1742, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Glaser-Dirks DG-200
- Registry model: [Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau DG-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/glaser-dirks-flugzeugbau-dg-200) (registry code 3802506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 2-149
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dewald, Charles F.
- Registered owner: Dewald, Charles F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900, 20 hours before
- Departed: 02J, CORDELE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 647 total, 19 in this make and model, 634 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19910604022359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910604022359A), Jun 4, 1991: Glaser DG200, Marshallville, GA, Substantial damage. Lost thermals on crosscountry. Descended in spiral. Failed to recover timely. Wing hit ground. Glider cartwheeled.

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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