# NTSB FTW82DA264: Glassflugel 604, N604VP, Refugio, TX, July 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1982, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Refugio, TX
- Coordinates: 28.300437, -97.270904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3004&lon=-97.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA264

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - glider launch/tow equipment - disconnected
  - miscellaneous equipment - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT ACCIDENTLY RELEASED THE TOW LINE AT ABOUT 50 FEET AGL WHEN HIS PARACHUTE CAUGHT ON THE TOW RELEASE HANDLE. IN ATTEMPTING TO TURN TO THE RUNWAY, HE DRAGGED A WING. THE GLIDER FUSELAGE BROKE AFT OF THE COCKPIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N604VP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N604VP), registered now, S/N 7 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASSFLUGEL 604
- Registry model: [Glasflugel 604](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-604) (registry code 3800348) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 7
- Airframe hours: 420
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark P. Bratton
- Registered owner: Mark P. Bratton
- Departed: RFG, REFUGIO, TX
- Destination: RFG, REFUGIO, TX
- Airport: RFG, Rooke Field, runway 14, 3,240 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,000 total, 52 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19820704028269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820704028269A), Jul 4, 1982: Amtr 604, Refugio, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot accidently released tow at 50 foot altitude, glider hit hard during emergency landing.

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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