# NTSB FTW95LA299: Slingsby T-51, N88966, Odessa, TX, July 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1995, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Odessa, TX
- Coordinates: 31.929332, -102.360671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9293&lon=-102.3607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA299

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE WINDSHEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - altitude - low
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE 'ENCOUNTERED [A] STRONG SINK AND ASSOCIATED WINDSHEAR TURBULENCE', WHILE ON A BASE LEG TURN FOR LANDING. DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, THE 'GLIDER'S RIGHT WING DROPPED [AND] THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN [RESULTING] IN A STALL/SPIN.' DURING RECOVERY FROM THE SPIN, THE GLIDER'S RIGHT WING STRUCK A FENCE. TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE GLIDER 'CARTWHEEL' FOLLOWING CONTACT WITH THE FENCE. BOTH WINGS, AND THE TAIL SECTION WERE FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE.

## Factual narrative

On July 15, 1995, at 1520 central daylight time, a Slingsby T-51 glider, N88966, was substantially damaged when it struck a fence following a loss of control during approach to Schlemeyer Field, near Odessa, Texas.  The private pilot sustained serious injuries.  The glider, owned by the pilot, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, he "encountered [a] strong sink and associated windshear turbulence" while on a base leg turn for landing on runway 16L.  He further reported that, during his turn to final, the glider's "right wing dropped [and] the nose pitched down [resulting] in a "stall/spin."  During recovery from the spin, the glider's right wing struck a fence.  Two witnesses observed the glider "cartwheel" following contact with the fence.

The glider came to rest inverted.  Both wings, and the tail section, were found separated from the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88966](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88966-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 1437, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SLINGSBY T-51
- Registry model: [Slingsby DART T.51](https://openairdocs.org/model/slingsby-dart-t-51) (registry code 8320602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1437
- Airframe hours: 1075
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tracy L. Clinkenbeard, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1994, 20 hours before
- Departed: E02

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 258 total, 145 in this make and model, 208 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 12 nm away

## 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 19950715024599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950715024599A), Jul 15, 1995: Slnsby T51, Odessa, TX, Substantial damage. Stalled. Entered spin on approach. Recovered. Wing hit a fence. Glider cartwheeled. Wings and tail separated.

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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