Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15 accident near Hammonton, New Jersey, July 2, 1988
On July 2, 1988 at about 7:31 pm local time, a Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15 (glider), registered N8619R, was destroyed in an accident near Hammonton, New Jersey (Hammonton Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE GLIDER PILOT'S FAILURE TO AVOID THE STALL/SPIN ENCOUNTERED DURING LOW ALTITUDE OPERATION IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 1988 · about 7:31 pm local time
- Place
- Hammonton, New Jersey · Hammonton Muni
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15 SGS 1-23H- · all SGS 1-23H-15s on the register
- Registration
- N8619R · no longer on the register · serial 57
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE GLIDER PILOT WAS IN A LEFT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RUNWAY 3, WHEN HE REALIZED THE GLIDER WAS TOO LOW. REPORTEDLY, HE TRIED TO 'STRETCH' HIS GLIDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER STALLED & ENTERED A SPIN AT ABOUT 500 TO 600 FT AGL. THE PILOT INITIATED SPIN RECOVERY PROCEDURES, BUT THE GLIDER CRASHED BEFORE HE RECOVERED.
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: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 250 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,728 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 5, 1988; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 750 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: None NONE (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N81 at 7:31 pm
- Destination: N81
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 3,004 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg
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.