# NTSB NYC88DHD03: Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, N8619R, Hammonton, NJ, July 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1988, 15:31 local (19:31 UTC)
- Place: Hammonton, NJ
- Location: 39.6365° N, 74.8024° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hammonton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6365&lon=-74.8024&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88DHD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DHD03

## Probable cause

THE GLIDER PILOT'S FAILURE TO AVOID THE STALL/SPIN ENCOUNTERED DURING LOW ALTITUDE OPERATION IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT WAS IN A LEFT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RUNWAY 3, WHEN HE REALIZED THE GLIDER WAS TOO LOW.  REPORTEDLY, HE TRIED TO 'STRETCH' HIS GLIDE.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER STALLED & ENTERED A SPIN AT ABOUT 500 TO 600 FT AGL.  THE PILOT INITIATED SPIN RECOVERY PROCEDURES, BUT THE GLIDER CRASHED BEFORE HE RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8619R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8619R-1989-03-14), registration cancelled 1989-03-14, S/N 57 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-23H-15 (SGS 1-23H-)
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-23h-15) (registry code 8050112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 57
- Airframe hours: 1728
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William A. Miller
- Registered owner: South Jersey Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1988, 80 hours before
- Departed: N81
- Destination: N81
- Airport: N81, Hammonton Muni, runway 3, 3,004 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 250 total, 100 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg

## 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 19880702025339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880702025339A), Jul 2, 1988: Scwzer SGS123H, Hammonton, NJ, Destroyed. Glider became too low in pattern for landing. Tried to stretch glide. Stalled,spun and partial recovery prior impact

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.