# NTSB FTW88DRG09: Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus, N8083, Briggs, TX, September 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1988, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Briggs, TX
- Coordinates: 30.940347, -97.930084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9403&lon=-97.9301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRG09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG09

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED AS HE MANEUVERED TO RE-ALIGN THE GLIDER DURING FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. THIS RESULTED IN 45-60 DEGREE BANK ANGLE AT VERY LOW ALTITUDES, WHICH CULMINATED IN THE LESS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH THE FENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS RPRTD THE GLIDER WAS LOW & SLOW AS IT WAS APPROACHING TO LAND. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT MANEUVERED THE GLIDER INTO A STEEP BANK TO ALIGN IT WITH THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CONTACTED THE TOP WIRE OF A FENCE NEAR THE APCH END OF THE RWY & CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8083](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8083-1990-04-19), registration cancelled 1990-04-19, S/N 153 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH STANDARD CIRRUS (STANDARD C)
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth STANDARD CIRRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-standard-cirrus) (registry code 38019VE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 153
- Airframe hours: 807
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Macjarrett
- Registered owner: Macjarrett, Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1988
- Airport: FLF, Faultless Flyer, runway 16, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 158 total, 3 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880910038129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880910038129A), Sep 10, 1988: Sphrth CIRRUSSTD, Briggs, TX, Destroyed. Caught the top of a fence and crashed while on short final for landing.

## Other investigations on N8083 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA73FLG50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73FLG50), Jun 24, 1973: Schemp Cirrus (N8083), Chester, SC, destroyed

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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