Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL89LA016

WHITWELL, TN, USA

Aircraft #1

N321SB

SCHEMPP-HIRTH DISCUS-B

Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT THERMAL LIFT DETERIORATED DRG THE RETURN LEG OF A X-COUNTRY FLT & HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF APRT LNDG IN A HAY FIELD. AS HE WAS ON FINAL APCH ON A WESTERLY HDG, HE SAW A PREVIOUSLY UNDETECTED POWER LINE ACROSS THE FIELD, WHICH REQD A RAPID DSCNT (USING SPOILERS) TO AVOID A COLLISION. HOWEVER, DRG THE EVASIVE MANEUVER, THE GLIDER CONTACTED UNEVEN TERRAIN & WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DAMAGED. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE SUN & TREES OBSCURED THE POWER LINE. ALSO, HE STATED THAT IF THE APCH HAD BEEN TO THE EAST, HE WOULD HAVE SEEN THE POWER LINE IN TIME TO MAKE SMOOTHER ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE SHORT LANDING.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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