# NTSB ATL92LA093: Schreder RS-15, N17TM, Benton, TN, May 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1992, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Benton, TN
- Coordinates: 35.170272, -84.650367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1703&lon=-84.6504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA093

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED APPROACH TO THE OPEN FIELD, WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORCED LANDING ON THE OBSTACLE LINED ROAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, go-around (vfr)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - sign
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ANOTHER GLIDER PILOT, WHO WAS THERMAL SOARING ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, OBSERVED THE GLIDER APPROACH A FIELD AT LOW LEVEL. IT CIRCLED THE FIELD IN A WIDE RADIUS TURN, THEN MOVED ABOUT A QUARTER MILE AWAY. IT THEN BEGAN TO CIRCLE IN A TIGHT RADIUS TURN. THE OBSERVING PILOT LOOKED AWAY FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, AND WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE GLIDER AGAIN, IT WAS IN A STEEP TURN. THE GLIDER ALIGNED WITH A TWO LANE ROAD THEN SWERVED ABRUPTLY LEFT INTO A LINE OF TREES. A GROUND WITNESS SAID THAT THE GLIDER APPEARED TO ATTEMPT A LANDING IN THE FIELD. THE PILOT OVERRAN THE FIELD & A GO-AROUND WAS MADE BECAUSE OF OBSTACLES. THE LANDING WAS ABORTED BY PULLING UP. THE GLIDER NEARLY STALLED & TURNED TO LAND ON THE ROAD. THE LEFT WING HIT A ROAD SIGN, VEERED LEFT, & STRUCK A TREE. PAINT TRANSFER MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE ROAD WHICH CORRELATED WITH SCRAPES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE GLIDER'S FUSELAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE GLIDER, AFTER THE ACCIDENT, DID NOT REVEAL ANY FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17TM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17TM-1992-11-18), registration cancelled 1992-11-18, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHREDER RS-15
- Registry model: [Schreder SCHREDER RS-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/schreder-schreder-rs-15) (registry code 7900107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 603
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smalley, James W.
- Registered owner: Smalley, James W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 4, 1992

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 438 total, 130 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 30 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 19920502012989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920502012989A), May 2, 1992: Amtr RS15, Benton, TN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Tried to land in a field. Unable then tried for road. Struck a pole and crashed into trees. Too low to make 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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