# NTSB LAX86LA296: Glasflugel ST Libelle, N74162, Vacaville, CA, July 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1986, 13:33 local (20:33 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.410015, -122.010108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4100&lon=-122.0101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA296
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA296

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE SAILPLANE WAS TOO LOW ON THE LANDING APPRAOCH AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO STRETCH THE GLIDE THE PILOT STALLED THE SAILPLANE AND ENTERED A SPIN PRIOR TO CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74162](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74162-1989-09-14), registration cancelled 1989-09-14, S/N 420 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASFLUGEL ST LIBELLE
- Registry model: [Glasflugel STD LIBELLE 201B](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-std-libelle-201b) (registry code 3800344) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 420
- Airframe hours: 560
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard R. Wythe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Vacaville Gliderport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center; flight hours: 770 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU, 6 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 19860720075449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860720075449A), Jul 20, 1986: Glasfl 201BLIBELLE, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. The student failed to maintain airspeed on final and spun the aircraft into the ground.

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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