# NTSB DEN89DTE01: Hicks/Mervin RH-3, N69272, Erie, CO, October 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1988, 15:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Location: 40.0403° N, 105.0383° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Erie, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0403&lon=-105.0383&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89DTE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89DTE01

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuselage - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69272](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69272-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 1, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HICKS/MERVIN RH-3
- Registry model: [Ross Hicks Sailplane RH-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/ross-hicks-sailplane-rh-3) (registry code 056033X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 651
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hicks, Mervin Lucius
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1988, 22 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,607 total, 2,607 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 32 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 19881016048529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881016048529A), Oct 16, 1988: Amtrrh RH3, Erie, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Glider porpoised on winch tow and wing became delaminated. Vertical crash. Poor bonding of repaired sections.

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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