# NTSB BFO85LA037: Slingsby Type 43 Series 3F, N5563V, Lovettsville, VA, April 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Lovettsville, VA
- Location: 39.2649° N, 77.6536° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LOVETTSVILLE VINTAGE AERODROME (VA61), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2649&lon=-77.6536&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command
  - physical impairment(hypoglycemia/diet), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(flight schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE NORMALLY AVOIDED LANDING ON THE RWY SINCE THE GLIDER LANDED ON A SKID & IT TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO REMOUNT IT ON A GROUND HANDLING DOLLY. ON THIS FLT, HE PLANNED TO LAND ON THE GRASS BESIDE THE APCH END OF THE RWY. HOWEVER, HE ALLOWED AN EXCESSIVE LOSS OF ALT ON THE BASE LEG & FINAL APCH, & WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR TREES NEAR THE APCH END OF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING TIP HIT THE TOPS OF TREES & THE GLIDER CARTWHEELED TO THE GROUND. THE PLT BELIEVED HE HAD SPENT TOO MANY HRS ON THIS FLT IN UNSEASONABLE HEAT & WENT TOO LONG (OVER 8 HRS) WITHOUT EATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5563V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5563V), registered now, S/N 1028, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SLINGSBY TYPE 43 SERIES 3F (TYPE 43 SE)
- Registry model: [Slingsby TYPE 43 SERIES 3F](https://openairdocs.org/model/slingsby-type-43-series-3f) (registry code 8320206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1028
- Airframe hours: 670
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon R. Tyler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 2, 1984, 11 hours before
- Airport: VA61, Scott Airpark, runway 36, 2,400 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 454 total, 61 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 22 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).

- [Incident 19850420016219I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420016219I), Apr 20, 1985: Amtrfa SLINGSBY, Lovettsville, VA, Minor damage. Pilot let glider get too low and wingtip hit a tree. Spoilers had not been retracted.

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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