# NTSB ATL98LA090: Mbb Phoebus C, N2157, Perry, SC, July 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 1998, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Perry, SC - Coordinates: 33.539459, -81.720977 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5395&lon=-81.7210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 4004 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4004/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control during takeoff, leading to an in-flight collision with the ground. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience in a high performance glider. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the glider was being towed for takeoff by a truck. As the glider reached its takeoff speed of 45 knots, he remembers pulling back on the control stick. From that point on, the pilot has no recollection of the events that took place. According to the tow driver, on takeoff, the glider rotated sharply nose-up, rolled left, and struck the ground inverted. The FAA inspector stated the pilot had not flown this type of high performance glider in the last 30 days. He also stated the glider stalled and began a left spin on initial tow, due to the pilot rotating too hard, too fast, and too low to the ground. The nose pitched up above 90 degrees, allowing the tow cable to automatically release, and the glider stalled approximately 75 feet above the ground. It impacted the ground inverted, downwind from the runway centerline. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 1998, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Waggon und Maschinenbau Phoebus C glider, N2157, collided with terrain on takeoff, at a private airstrip near Perry, South Carolina. The accident occurred at the time of departure. The glider was operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the glider was substantially damaged. According to the pilot, the glider was being towed for takeoff by a truck. As the glider reached its takeoff speed of 45 knots, he remembers pulling back on the control stick. From that point on, the pilot has no recollection of the events that took place. According to the tow driver, on takeoff, the glider rotated sharply nose-up, rolled left, and struck the ground inverted. The FAA inspector stated the pilot had not flown this type of high performance glider in the last 30 days. He also stated the glider stalled and began a left spin on initial tow, due to the pilot rotating too hard, too fast, and too low to the ground. The nose pitched up above 90 degrees, allowing the tow cable to automatically release, and the glider stalled approximately 75 feet above the ground. It impacted the ground inverted, downwind from the runway centerline. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2157](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2157-2003-11-03), registration cancelled 2003-11-03, S/N 880, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mbb PHOEBUS C - Registry model: [Waggon UND Maschinenbau PHOEBUS C](https://openairdocs.org/model/waggon-und-maschinenbau-phoebus-c) (registry code 9620212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 880 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard S. Chesser - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PVT - Airport: PVT, Perry International A/P, runway 27, 5,000 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; seat: center; flight hours: 70 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AGS, 20 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 19980703015749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980703015749A), Jul 3, 1998: Entwic PHOEBUSC, Perry, SC, Substantial damage. (.4)According to the pilot, the glider was being towed for takeoff by a truck. As the glider reached its takeoff speed of 45 knots, he remembers pulling back… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.