Summary
On October 21, 1995, a Glasflugel MOSQUITO (N237B) was involved in an accident near Dunlap, TN. The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed resulting in a spin at an altitude insufficient for recovery.
On October 21, 1995, about 1710 central daylight time, a Glasflugel Mosquito, N237B, registered to an individual, crashed near Dunlap, Tennessee, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Matthews Field, Dunlap, Tennessee, about 1318.
The pilots of three other gliders observed N237B, a glider, flying along a ridge about 400 to 500 feet above the trees. The glider appeared to be flying at a slow speed. The nose of the glider pitched up and the glider stalled and entered a spin.
This accident is documented in NTSB report MIA96LA012. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N237B.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed resulting in a spin at an altitude insufficient for recovery.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 21, 1995, about 1710 central daylight time, a Glasflugel Mosquito, N237B, registered to an individual, crashed near Dunlap, Tennessee, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Matthews Field, Dunlap, Tennessee, about 1318.
The pilots of three other gliders observed N237B, a glider, flying along a ridge about 400 to 500 feet above the trees. The glider appeared to be flying at a slow speed. The nose of the glider pitched up and the glider stalled and entered a spin. After 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 turns the glider impacted in the ground in a nose-down attitude.
Postcrash examination of the glider by an FAA inspector showed that all components of the glider were located on or around the main wreckage. Continuity of the flight control systems was established.
Post-mortem examination of the pilot was performed by Charles W. Harlan, M.D., Office of the State Medical Examiner, Nashville, Tennessee. The cause of death was attributed to multiple injuries. No findings that could be considered causal to the accident were noted. Post mortem toxicology testing on specimens obtained from the pilot was performed by Dr. Harlan. The tests were negative for ethanol alcohol and basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. For additional medical and pathological information see Supplement K and the toxicology report.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA96LA012