Slingsby T-51 N88966
15 July 1995 · Odessa, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 15 July 1995 at about 20:20 local time, a Slingsby T-51 registered N88966 was involved in an accident near Odessa, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:20
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Odessa, Texas, United States
- Coordinates
- 31.9293, -102.3607
- Aircraft
- Slingsby T-51
- Registration
- N88966
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW95LA299
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE WINDSHEAR.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE 'ENCOUNTERED [A] STRONG SINK AND ASSOCIATED WINDSHEAR TURBULENCE', WHILE ON A BASE LEG TURN FOR LANDING. DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, THE 'GLIDER'S RIGHT WING DROPPED [AND] THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN [RESULTING] IN A STALL/SPIN.' DURING RECOVERY FROM THE SPIN, THE GLIDER'S RIGHT WING STRUCK A FENCE. TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE GLIDER 'CARTWHEEL' FOLLOWING CONTACT WITH THE FENCE. BOTH WINGS, AND THE TAIL SECTION WERE FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Slingsby T-51 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Jul 1971 | Slingsby T-51 | Portola, California, United States | Flying Gadflys | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jan 1995 | Cessna 150L | Needville, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 27 Dec 1995 | Piper PA-24-250 | Kaufman, Texas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 25 Jun 1995 | Beechcraft 77 | McAllen, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Dec 1995 | Republic RC 3 | Whitewright, Texas, United States | William Grantham | No injuries | - |
| 10 Feb 1995 | Piper PA-32R-300 | Conroe, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 5 |
| 22 Dec 1995 | Piper PA-22-160 | Waller, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |