Accident Details
Date
Saturday, May 20, 1989
NTSB Number
BFO89LA035
Location
WARRENTON, VA
Event ID
20001213X28253
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1
Probable Cause and Findings
THE FAILURE OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE DURING TAKEOFF AND THE DELAY IN RELEASING FROM THE TOWPLANE AFTER REALIZING THAT HE WAS CLIMBING WELL ABOVE THE TOWPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UPDRAFT ENCOUNTERED AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE OF THE GLIDER PILOT.
Aircraft Information
Registration
N9489P
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
25-7405589
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Registered Owner (Historical)
Name
WARRENTON SOARING CENTER INC
Address
BOX 185
Status
Deregistered
City
WARRENTON
State / Zip Code
VA 22186
Country
United States
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# BFO89LA035