# NTSB FTW96LA330: Schleicher KA6-CR, N445M, Forrest City, AR, August 3, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1996, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Forrest City, AR
- Coordinates: 35.010673, -90.779777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0107&lon=-90.7798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA330

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. Factors were the dust restricting his visibility and the uneven terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - light condition - other (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - bridge/overpass

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the glider lost lift while on a local glider flight and he elected to execute an off-airport landing on a dirt road approximately 4 miles from the airport.  The tow plane landed on the road to retrieve the glider.  The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll from the crowned and uneven dirt road, a heavy dust cloud was created by the tow plane, and he was unable to maintain directional control.  The glider impacted a steel foot bridge crossing an irrigation ditch.

## Factual narrative

On August 3, 1996, at 1430 central daylight time, a Schleicher  KA6-CR glider, N445M, registered to and operated by a private owner was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff near Forrest City, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot was not injured during the personal flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The flight originated from the Forrest City Municipal Airport at approximately 1330.

According to the pilot, the glider lost lift while on a local glider flight and he elected to execute an off-airport landing on a dirt road approximately 4 miles from the airport.  The tow plane landed on the road to retrieve the glider.  The pilot added that during the takeoff roll from the crowned and uneven dirt road, a heavy dust cloud was created by the tow plane, and he was unable to maintain directional control.  The glider impacted a steel foot bridge crossing an irrigation ditch and sustained structural damage to the aft portion of the airframe.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N445M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N445M-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N 6506, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schleicher KA6-CR
- Registry model: [Schleicher KA 6 CR](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-ka-6-cr) (registry code 3801537) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 6506
- Airframe hours: 415
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David W. Cahoon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1996, 15 hours before
- Departed: FCY, FORREST CITY, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,800 total, 60 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 30 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 19960803020759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960803020759A), Aug 3, 1996: Schler KA6CR, Forrest City, AR, Substantial damage. Glider lost control during launch, went into a ditch. (-23) glider landed on dirt road - tow plane landed also. Decided to tow glider and take off dirt road.…

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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