# NTSB CHI00LA193: Schleicher K8B, N885D, Manchester, MI, July 1, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2000, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Manchester, MI
- Coordinates: 42.139656, -84.029685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1397&lon=-84.0297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA193

## Probable cause

the downdraft experienced during final approach and altitude/clearance from the fence post not being maintained by the pilot.  A factor to the accident was the fence post.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

While on final approach the glider experienced higher than expected sink and the glider impacted a fence-post short of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 2000, at 1530 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher K8B glider, N885D, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with a fence-post while on final approach to runway 18 (2,465 feet by 100 feet, dry/turf) at the Rossettie Airport, Manchester, Michigan.  Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The solo flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan.  The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries.  The local flight departed the Rossettie Airport, at an undetermined time.

According to the student pilot's written statement, "Normal pattern approach[,] turned final with approx [approximately] 400 ft agl [feet above ground level], set spoilers for glide path & angle of descent.  Encountered heavy sink, CDIT [controlled descent into terrain]."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N885D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N885D-2023-04-01), registration cancelled 2023-04-01, S/N 109, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schleicher K8B
- Registry model: [Schleicher K 8 B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-k-8-b) (registry code 3801563) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1401
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: U Of Mich Soaring Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: 75G
- Airport: 75G, Rosettie, runway 18, 2,250 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 282 total, 132 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 178 °F, dew point 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 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 20000701043189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000701043189A), Jul 1, 2000: Schler K8B, Manchester, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) On final approach the aircraft began to sink, clipping a fence post short of the runway with the left wing. The left wing was substantially damaged.

## Other investigations on N885D (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI78FEK25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEK25), Jul 14, 1978: Schleicher K8B (N885D), Montpelier, OH, substantial damage

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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