# NTSB CHI83LA314: Flug-Und Fahrzeugwerke Diamant, N37AC, Frankfort, MI, July 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1983, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, MI
- Coordinates: 44.630741, -86.230278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6307&lon=-86.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA314

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A WINCH TOW TAKEOFF THE RIGHT WING CAUGHT IN TALL GRASS & SOFT SAND, & THE GLIDER GROUND-LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37AC-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 049, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Flug-Und Fahrzeugwerke (FFA) DIAMANT
- Registry model: [Flug & Fahrzeugwerke FFA HBV-DIAMANT 16.5](https://openairdocs.org/model/flug-fahrzeugwerke-ffa-hbv-diamant-16-5) (registry code 3550808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 049
- Airframe hours: 550
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kent L. Uhley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1982
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 3D4, Frankfort, runway 14, 2,750 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 550 total, 550 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19830710037129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830710037129A), Jul 10, 1983: Farzwk DIAMANT165, Frankfort, MI, Substantial damage. Glider caught wing tip in tall grass during winch tow launch.

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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