# NTSB FTW85FA331: Valentin Taifun 17E, N164RB, Abilene, TX, August 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1985, 17:43 local (22:43 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Coordinates: 32.429126, -99.830101 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4291&lon=-99.8301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA331

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS THERMALING IN A SLOW RIGHT CLIMBING TURN ABOUT 600 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. WITNESSES STATED IT STARTED A RIGHT SPIRALING DESCENT AND THE NOSE SUDDENLY DROPPED UNTIL IT WAS IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE SPIRAL THEN DEVELOPED INTO A TIGHT RIGHT HAND SPIN WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE ALTITUDE AT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE SPIN STARTED. SEVERAL DIFFERENT PILOTS WHO ARE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH GLIDER OPERATION STATED NO PILOT SHOULD ATTEMPT THERMALING (RECEIVING ADEQUATE LIFT FOR FLIGHT FROM RISING AIR CURRENTS) UNLESS HIS ALTITUDE IS AT LEAST 1000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N164RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N164RB-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 1044, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VALENTIN TAIFUN 17E
- Registry model: [Valentin TAIFUN 17E](https://openairdocs.org/model/valentin-taifun-17e) (registry code 9370100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1044
- Airframe hours: 35
- Engines: LIMBACH L 2000 EB 1.B 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond E. Boyt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Special, Special flight (Special)
- Departed: ABI, ABILENE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,247 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABI

## 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 19850824040079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850824040079A), Aug 24, 1985: Abilene, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Attempted to climb while circling a field in a motorized glider. Aircraft spun into ground from a low altitude.

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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