ODESSA, TX, USA
N88966
SLINGSBY T-51
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.
On July 15, 1995, at 1520 central daylight time, a Slingsby T-51 glider, N88966, was substantially damaged when it struck a fence following a loss of control during approach to Schlemeyer Field, near Odessa, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The glider, owned by the pilot, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, he "encountered [a] strong sink and associated windshear turbulence" while on a base leg turn for landing on runway 16L. He further reported that, during his 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. The glider came to rest inverted. Both wings, and the tail section, were found separated from the fuselage.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE WINDSHEAR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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