# NTSB MIA88LA121: Schleicher K-8B, N4663S, Miami, FL, March 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1988, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Location: 25.7743° N, 80.1937° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miami, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7743&lon=-80.1937&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,wing rib - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD PLACED THE GLIDER INTO A MILD DIVE & WAS INDICATING 90 TO 95 MPH, WELL BELOW REDLINE SPEED WHEN THE WHOLE SECTION OF THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE WING FROM THE AFT SPAR & WING ROOT OUT TO A DIST OF ABOUT 6 FT, SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LAND WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE FAILED PIECES FELL FROM THE ACFT & WERE NOT RECOVERED, AN EXAM OF THE WING ROOT RIB REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED. THE WING SPOILER ATTACH BRACKET FOR THE SPOILER BELLCRANK IS ATTACHED TO THE FAILED RIB. THE PLT STATED THAT THE SPOILERS FLEW OPEN INADVERTENTLY DURING OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE ACFT IS CONSTRUCTED ENTIRELY OF WOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4663S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4663S), registered now, S/N 8213 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER K-8B
- 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
- Serial number: 8213
- Airframe hours: 2957
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sunspot Soaring, Inc.
- Registered owner: Steve Yoham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1987, 45 hours before
- Departed: 6X5

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,518 total, 2 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 10 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 19880307004869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880307004869A), Mar 7, 1988: Schler K8B, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. During mild dive,glider had structural failure of the right wing. Able to return to airport. Cause is unknown.

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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