# NTSB CHI86LA154: Glasflugel Club Libelle 205, N8HD, St. Elmo, IL, June 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1986, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: St. Elmo, IL
- Coordinates: 39.020019, -88.849502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0200&lon=-88.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - precautionary landing - performed
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THERE WAS A LOSS OF THERMAL ACTIVITY WHILE THE GLIDER PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT. DURING AN OFF ARPT LNDG, THE WINGTIP OF THE SAILPLANE STRUCK WEEDS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8HD-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 155, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASFLUGEL CLUB LIBELLE 205 (CLUB LIBEL)
- Registry model: [Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-club-libelle-205) (registry code 3800346) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 155
- Airframe hours: 521
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anthony G. Kassos
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1986, 15 hours before
- Departed: H07, HIGHLAND, IL
- Destination: 1H2, EFFINGHAM, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,010 total, 29 in this make and model, 1,833 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 15 knots, gusting 1
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °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 19860615025499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860615025499A), Jun 15, 1986: Glasfl 205LIBELLE, St Elmo, IL, Substantial damage. The glider dragged a wingtip during a forced landing. The pilot misjudged thermal activity.

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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