# NTSB DEN85FQG01: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4, N4203Y, Tatum, NM, July 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1985, 17:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Tatum, NM
- Coordinates: 33.250797, -103.309417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2508&lon=-103.3094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FQG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FQG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - clearance - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT 7 MILES SW OF TATUM, NM, AN AREA OF 'SINK' WAS ENCOUNTERED AND INSUFFICIENT ALT REMAINED TO GLIDE TO THE TATUM ARPT. AN APCH WAS THEN MADE (INTO THE SUN) FOR A LANDING IN A FLD. DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE PLT NOTICED A ROW OF FENCE POSTS IN THE FLT PATH. AFRAID ONE OF THE FENCE WIRES WOULD CUT THROUGH THE COCKPIT, THE PLT PULLED UP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE FENCE. THE ACFT STALLED AT AN ALT OF APRX 6 FT AGL AND CONTACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4203Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4203Y-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 4008, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-4
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-4) (registry code 3801250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4008
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Becky Rackley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1984
- Departed: HOB, HOBBS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,300 total, 41 in this make and model, 108 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOB, 27 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 19850707030139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850707030139A), Jul 7, 1985: Rolsch LS4, Tatum, NM, Substantial damage. Stalled glider while avoiding fence post and landed hard. Unable to make airport after running out of lift.

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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