# NTSB MIA96LA012: Glasflugel Mosquito, N237B, Dunlap, TN, October 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1995, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Dunlap, TN
- Coordinates: 35.369865, -85.38063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3699&lon=-85.3806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA012

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed resulting in a spin at an altitude insufficient for recovery.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

The glider was observed by pilots of three other gliders to be flying at a slow airspeed 400-500 feet above trees on a ridge line. The nose of the glider pitched up and the glider stalled and entered a spin from which it crashed.

## Factual narrative

On October 21, 1995, about 1710 central daylight time, a Glasflugel Mosquito, N237B, registered to an individual, crashed near Dunlap, Tennessee, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Matthews Field, Dunlap, Tennessee, about 1318.

The pilots of three other gliders observed N237B, a glider,  flying along a ridge about 400 to 500 feet above the trees. The glider appeared to be flying at a slow speed. The nose of the glider pitched up and the glider stalled and entered a spin. After 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 turns the glider impacted in the ground in a nose-down attitude.

Postcrash examination of the glider by an FAA inspector showed that all components of the glider were located on or around the main wreckage. Continuity of the flight control systems was established.

Post-mortem examination of the pilot was performed by Charles W. Harlan, M.D., Office of the State Medical Examiner, Nashville, Tennessee. The cause of death was attributed to multiple injuries. No findings that could be considered causal to the accident were noted. Post mortem toxicology testing on specimens obtained from the pilot was performed by Dr. Harlan. The tests were negative for ethanol alcohol and basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. For additional medical and pathological information see Supplement K and the toxicology report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N237B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N237B-1997-01-21), registration cancelled 1997-01-21, S/N 53 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASFLUGEL MOSQUITO
- Registry model: [Glasflugel MOSQUITO](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-mosquito) (registry code 3800350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 53
- Airframe hours: 1072
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James  W.  Neffinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 1995, 31 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 771 total, 695 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 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 19951021033579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951021033579A), Oct 21, 1995: Glasfl MOSQUITO, Dunlap, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled glider while soaring along a ridge. Entered spin. Did not recover.

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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