# NTSB FTW89LA142: Schempp-Hirth Cirrus, N158WT, Littlefield, TX, August 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1989, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Littlefield, TX
- Location: 33.9192° N, 102.3348° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Littlefield, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9192&lon=-102.3348&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA142

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT & THE SEVERE TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - fuselage - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N158WT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N158WT-1992-07-20), registration cancelled 1992-07-20, S/N 58 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH CIRRUS
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth CIRRUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-cirrus) (registry code 38019VC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: A29014
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert G. Olson
- Departed: Q00, LITTLEFIELD, TX
- Destination: ROUND-ROBIN, OF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; flight hours: 77 total, 28 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 60
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890802030339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890802030339A), Aug 2, 1989: Sphrth CIRRUS, Littlefield, TX, Substantial damage. Encountered area of severe turbulence on crosscountry glider. Lost canopy tail broke off pilot parachuted safely.

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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