Glaser-Dirks DG 300 accident near Arabi, Georgia, June 10, 1992
On June 10, 1992 at about 7:15 pm local time, a Glaser-Dirks DG 300 (glider), registered N433TT, was substantially damaged in an accident near Arabi, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHEN HE FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBSTACLES. FACTORS WERE THE LOSS OF THERMAL LIFT AND THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 1992 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Arabi, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Glaser-Dirks DG 300 · all DG 300s on the register
- Registration
- N433TT · registry record · serial 3E-82
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A GLIDER CONTEST, THERMAL LIFT DISSIPATED. THE PILOT DESCENDED ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE ADDITIONAL THERMALS, UNSUCCESSFULLY. A LARGE PEANUT FIELD WAS SELECTED AS A POSSIBLE LANDING SITE. IT WAS OVERFLOWN AT ABOUT 1500 FEET FOR EVALUATION. POWER LINES ALONG THE FIELD WERE NOT OBSERVED. A LONG STRAIGHT IN APPROACH WAS ESTABLISHED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FOCUSED HIS ATTENTION ON A LONG STORAGE SHED, AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE FIELD,TO AVOID IT BUT, REMAIN CLOSE. CONSEQUENTLY HE DID NOT SEE POWER LINES ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND JUST BEYOND THE SHED. THE MAIN LANDING GEAR CAUGHT THREE WIRES. THE GLIDER NOSED DOWN, THEN IMPACTED THE SOFT, PLOWED GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 686 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 133 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 75 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 1992; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,157 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 02J Cordele GA at 5:00 pm
- Destination: 02J
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from MCN, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL92LA120.