# NTSB SEA88LA128: Schempp-Hirth Discus B, N554T, Minden, NV, July 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1988, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.010993, -119.749328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0110&lon=-119.7493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - horizontal stabilizer attachment - separation
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - engaged
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

ACFT WERE ASCENDING IN THE SAME THERMAL DURING NATIONAL SOARING COMPETITION AND COLLIDED IN FLIGHT. N554T SUSTAINED LOSS OF THE HORIZONTAL TAIL IN COLLISION, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT. THE PILOT PARACHUTED SAFELY. N130JB SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE AND LANDED SAFELY. PILOTS STATED THEY HAD LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N554T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N554T-1988-09-21), registration cancelled 1988-09-21, S/N 11 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth DISCUS B
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-discus-b) (registry code 38019VN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 11
- Airframe hours: 500
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Graham S. Thompson
- Registered owner: Graham S. Thomson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1988, 60 hours before
- Departed: MEV
- Destination: MEV

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N130JB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N130JB), registered now, S/N 74, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth DISCUS A
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-discus-a) (registry code 38019VP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 74
- Airframe hours: 525
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John M. Byrd
- Registered owner: John M Byrd
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1988, 135 hours before
- Departed: MEV
- Destination: MEV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N554T; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center; flight hours: 3,290 total, 325 in this make and model, 3,160 as pilot in command
- Pilot, aircraft N130JB; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,112 total, 541 in this make and model, 116 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880712031882A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880712031882A), Jul 12, 1988: Schemp DISCUSB, Minden, NV, Destroyed. Collided with N130JB with both gliders in a thermal. Glider pilot bailed out. Other landed safely.
- [Accident 19880712031881A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880712031881A), Jul 12, 1988: Schemp DISCUSA, Minden, NV, Minor damage. Collided in a thermal with N554T at a glider meet. Was able to land safely. Other glider pilot had to bail out.

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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