# NTSB LAX88LA182: Slingsby T59D Kestrel 19, N74T, Middletown, CA, May 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1988, 17:00 local (May 15, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, CA
- Location: 38.7519° N, 122.6221° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middletown, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7519&lon=-122.6221&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74T), registered now, S/N 1809, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SLINGSBY T59D KESTREL 19 (T59D KESTR)
- Registry model: [Slingsby T59D KESTREL 19](https://openairdocs.org/model/slingsby-t59d-kestrel-19) (registry code 8321510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1809
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Latour, John F.
- Registered owner: La Tour, John F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CA58, VACAVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 557 total, 130 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19880514018339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880514018339A), May 14, 1988: Slnsby T59D, Middletown, CA, Substantial damage. Lost lift on cross country flight. Landed in open field and ground looped to avoid a fence.

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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