# NTSB DEN88LA165: Hall HP-18, N81940, Westcliffe, CO, June 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1988, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Westcliffe, CO
- Coordinates: 38.129665, -105.460067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1297&lon=-105.4601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HIS GLIDER WAS BEING TOWED FOR TAKEOFF FROM A DRY, DUSTY, GRASS STRIP. HE SAID THE TOW PLANE BLEW UP THE DUST AND HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE 75 FT WIDE STRIP. THERE WAS A DROP OFF ON THE LT SIDE OF THE STRIP AND TALL GRASS ALONG THE RT SIDE. THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE RT, THE RT WING HIT THE TALL GRASS AND THE ACFT SPUN AROUND RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE TAIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81940](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81940-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 92, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HALL HP-18
- Registry model: [Hall HP-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/hall-hp-18) (registry code 05647W6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 92
- Airframe hours: 90
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Landl, Karl G.
- Registered owner: Landl, Karl G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 12 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Lake Creek, runway 4, 4,000 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center; flight hours: 621 total, 91 in this make and model, 577 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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