# NTSB IAD79FKW14: Schleicher KA8B, N170DR, Benton, TN, May 26, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 26, 1979
- Place: Benton, TN · BENTON, TN
- Location: 35.1749° N, 84.6517° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Benton, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1749&lon=-84.6517&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FKW14
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FKW14

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1452  79/5/26    BENTON,TN           SCHLEICHER KA8B     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, 870
        TIME - 1500                    N170DR              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 20 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BENTON,TN                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
        REMARKS- PILOT RELEASED TOW CABLE AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE.WIND WAS CALM WITHOUT MUCH LIFTING ACTION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N170DR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N170DR), registered now, S/N 8190, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER KA8B
- Registry model: [Schleicher K 8 B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-k-8-b) (registry code 3801563) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: none
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Chilhowee Glider

## 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 19790526012419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790526012419A), May 26, 1979: Amtrsc SCHLEICHERK8, Benton, TN, Destroyed. Pilot failed to find sufficient lift. Unable to return to airport.

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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