# NTSB FTW95LA054: Glaser-Dirks DG-600, N7020P, Alamogordo, NM, November 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1994, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Alamogordo, NM - Coordinates: 32.879405, -105.949813 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8794&lon=-105.9498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19311 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19311/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA054 ## Probable cause THE INADVERTENT STALL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE SAILPLANE STALLED AFTER THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REPOSITION TO A LOWER RIDGE FOR BETTER LIFTING CONDITIONS. THE SAILPLANE RECOVERED IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, BUT ONE WING TIP STRUCK A TREE AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO THE TREES UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 1994, at 1210 mountain standard time, a Glaser- Dirks DG-600 sailplane, N7020P, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while maneuvering near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, the sailplane departed in tow at approximately 1130, and was released at an altitude of 9,100 feet. The winds kept blowing the sailplane closer to the ridge, so the pilot elected to reposition to a lower ridge. Control was lost when the sailplane encountered moderate to severe turbulence within a few hundred yards from the ridge. The pilot added that the sailplane entered a one and a half turn spin to the right. The aircraft recovered in a level attitude. One wing tip struck a tree and the aircraft settled into the trees until impact with the ground. The wreckage was located on the windward side of the Sacramento Mountains at the 8,600 foot level. The accident site was located on the Alamogordo VOR 086 degree radial at 10 miles. The experimental category sailplane came to rest on the 35 degree slope, on a measured heading of 018 degrees. The pilot exited the aircraft and hiked down the rough terrain for four and a half hours to a nearby dirt road where he was picked up by a hunter and transported to a hospital. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7020P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7020P-1998-04-29), registration cancelled 1998-04-29, S/N 66 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GLASER-DIRKS DG-600 - Registry model: [Glaser-Dirks DG 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/glaser-dirks-dg-600) (registry code 3802555) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 6-6 - Airframe hours: 460 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Averill, Clyde - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1994, 4 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: center; flight hours: 11,222 total, 2 in this make and model, 9,500 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 30 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HMN ## 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 19941126048849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941126048849A), Nov 26, 1994: Glaser DG400, Alamogordo, NM, Substantial damage. Encountered severe turbulence near ridge. Entered spin. Recovered at low altitude. Wing hit tree. Settled in trees 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.