Pratt-Read PRG-1 accident near Littlefield, Texas, February 12, 1983
On February 12, 1983 at about 9:59 pm local time, a Pratt-Read PRG-1 (glider), registered N14Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Littlefield, Texas (Littlefield). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 12, 1983 · about 9:59 pm local time
- Place
- Littlefield, Texas · Littlefield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Pratt-Read PRG-1
- Registration
- N14Y · no longer on the register · serial PRG-01-42
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE GLIDER WAS BEING OPERATED BY A BOY SCOUT EXPLORER POST. THE 15 YEAR-OLD SCOUT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BOYS TO SOLO THE 40 YEAR-OLD GLIDER. WHILE RETURNING FROM A 50 MIN SOARING FLT, THE GLIDER SPUN TO THE GROUND AFTER ENTERING A STRONG THERMAL. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR THE PLT HAD COMPLAINED OF MALAISE ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT STATED HE BEGAN FEELING HOT.
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: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 5 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 as pilot in command; 11 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 335 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 3, 1982; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 4,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
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.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.