# NTSB FTW87DRG06: William M. Burge Tern, N38826, Refugio, TX, August 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1987, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Refugio, TX
- Coordinates: 28.29973, -97.270851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2997&lon=-97.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22214/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRG06

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, other
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON AUGUST 8, 1987, A BURGE TERN, N38826 IMPACTED A TRANSMISSION WIRE AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES WEST OF REFUGIO, TEXAS. THE HOMEBUILT GLIDER HAD FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 18 MILES NORTHWEST OF REFUGIO WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED A LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT AND TURNED BACK TOWARD REFUGIO. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. HOWEVER, THE PILOT RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38826](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38826-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N WMB/WTM-40-83, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILLIAM M. BURGE TERN
- Registry model: [Burge William M JR TERN](https://openairdocs.org/model/burge-william-m-jr-tern) (registry code 056479C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: WMB/WTM40-83
- Airframe hours: 90
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William M. Burge
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: RFG, REFUGIO, TX
- Destination: RFG, REFUGIO, TX
- Airport: RFG, Rooke Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; flight hours: 175 total, 90 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 95° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F

## 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 19870808043899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870808043899A), Aug 8, 1987: Amtr TERN2, Refugio, TX, Substantial damage. The glider hit powerlines during an off airport landing. Pilot misjudged updrafts and overflew a suitable field.

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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