SSFBanner1.gif - 6869 Bytes

NTSB SUMMARIES - 2000

These summaries are taken directly from NTSB final and preliminary reports and contain no comments from the Soaring Society of America or the Soaring Safety Foundation.

2000 NTSB SUMMARIES

December 2000

None

November 2000

NTSB Identification: LAX01LA038
Accident occurred: Saturday, November 11, 2000 at LAKE ELSINORE, CA
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 1-36, registration: N3621R
Injuries: 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On November 11, 2000, about 1508 hours Pacific standard time, a Schweizer SGS 1-36, N3621R, operated by the Lake Elsinore Soaring Club, collided with trees approaching the Skylark Field in Lake Elsinore, California. The glider was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was seriously injured. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the student pilot's solo instructional flight, which originated from the airstrip about 1358.

According to the student's flight instructor, the student was authorized to solo in the local area. After about 1 hour the student planned to return for landing at the uncontrolled glider airstrip. Approaching the airstrip, the student misread his altimeter and initiated a circle to lose altitude. Midway through the turn the student realized his error and headed directly back toward the airstrip. The glider continued to lose lift, and the student did not initiate emergency procedures to make an off-site landing in nearby available fields. While attempting to stretch the glide, the glider collided with tree branches and impacted the ground hard about 1/2 mile from the airstrip. The glider came to rest in the front yard of a trailer park.

October 2000

NTSB Identification: NYC01LA020
Accident occurred: Saturday, October 21, 2000 at SHIRLEY, NY
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, registration: N2055T
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On October 21, 2000, about 1330 Eastern Daylight Time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider, N2055T, was substantially damaged during an off airport landing near Brookhaven Airport (HWV), Shirley, New York. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he departed HWV about 1300. About 1330, he was approximately 2 miles south of the airport at an altitude of 2,000 feet. The pilot was returning for landing when he encountered downdrafts. He thought that he would not be able to make the airport, and elected to land in a field. While on approach to the field, about 300 feet above the ground, the pilot encountered another downdraft. The glider impacted trees on the approach end of the field, and sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and wing spars.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

The reported wind at HWV, at 1256, was from 210 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots.

NTSB Identification: CHI01LA007
Accident occurred: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 at HIGHLAND, IL
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, registration: N2060T
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On October 11, 2000, about 1515 central daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A, N2060T, piloted by a private pilot candidate with a pilot examiner aboard, sustained substantial damage on contact with terrain during a landing near Highland-Winet Airport (H07), near Highland, Illinois. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot checkride was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot candidate and FAA examiner were uninjured. The local flight originated from H07 at 1510.

September 2000

NTSB Identification: NYC00LA251
Accident occurred: Monday, September 04, 2000 at WURTSBORO, NY
Aircraft: Let BLANIK L-13, registration: N48037
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

On September 4, 2000, about 1225 Eastern Daylight Time, a Let Blanik L-13 glider, N48037, was substantially damaged while landing at the Wurtsboro-Sullivan County Airport (N82) Wurtsboro, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said that prior to takeoff he observed "dark clouds" to the west of the airport. Additionally, the tow plane pilot pointed to the clouds prior to takeoff. The pilot acknowledged the tow plane pilot; however, he "did not feel that the clouds were moving all that fast," and elected to continue the flight. The glider was towed to an altitude of 2,500 feet and released. About 1 minute later, the pilot noticed that it was "suddenly much darker, and the clouds had quickly moved over the airport from west to east." He observed some light rain, and intended to return to the airport for landing. While entering the left downwind leg for Runway 23, the rain "got so heavy that I had no visibility forward." The glider was 350 feet above ground level, and pilot elected to make a left turn, and land on Runway 25. Shortly thereafter, the glider began to impact trees. It then veered to the left and pitched down towards the ground. The glider came to rest in the trees, about 300 feet from the runway threshold.

The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the glider.

The pilot received his private pilot glider rating on May 20, 2000. The pilot reported 34 hours of total flight experience, all in gliders. The accident flight was the pilot's first solo flight in the make and model of the accident glider.

The weather reported at an airport about 10 miles east-southeast of the accident airport, at 1219 was: Wind from 20 degrees at 5 knots; Visibility 10 miles, Few Clouds at 2,100 feet, Scattered Clouds at 2,800 and 3,500 feet, Temperature 79 Dewpoint 70 degrees F; Altimeter 29.81 in/hg.

August 2000

NTSB Identification: LAX00LA312
Accident occurred: AUG-26-00 at TEHACHAPI, CA
Aircraft: BG-12BD, registration: N4458
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On August 26, 2000, about 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, an experimental homebuilt glider BG-12BD, N4458, was destroyed when a wing separated in-flight while returning to land at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. The owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight departed Mountain Valley about 1545. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. Witnesses told the Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator the glider was returning to the airport. It was about 1 mile north of the airport and preparing to enter the landing pattern for runway 27. The witnesses said this glider did not have speed brakes; they said the flaps were used to slow it down. They said the flaps appeared to be activated about 2,000 feet above the ground, then the left flap and wing separated. The wing was located about 0.25 miles from the main wreckage and the flap was about 300 feet from the wing. The accident coordinator noted the inboard section of the rear spar fractured and separated from the wing.

NTSB Identification: MIA00LA239
Accident occurred:
AUG-16-00 at ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 1-34, registration: N7679
Injuries: 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On August 16, 2000, at about 1403 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-34, N7679, registered to Tampa Bay Soaring Society Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on landing in the vicinity of Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH), Zephyrhills, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The glider sustained substantial damage and the student pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from ZPH, about 33 minutes before the accident. The brother of the injured pilot stated he observed the glider established on a low and slow final to runway 36, before the glider started spinning to the right. He contacted UNICOM on a handheld radio and asked them to call 911.

July 2000

NTSB Identification: FTW00LA220
Accident occurred: JUL-30-00 at UVALDE, TX
Aircraft: AERO TEK, INC. ZUNI, registration: N6ZF
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On July 30, 2000, at 1430 central daylight time, an Aero Tek, Inc., Zuni experimental glider, N6ZF, struck the ground short of runway 33 at the Garner Field Airport, near Uvalde, Texas, during the final approach. The private pilot/owner was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight; however, a thunderstorm moved north-south across the airport during the time of the accident. A flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local flight which departed the Garner Field Airport at 1400. The pilot reported that the glider encountered a downdraft as the thunderstorm moved across the airport. He further stated that the winds were from the north at 15 to 20 knots. The pilot reported structural damage occurred to the tailboom when the glider groundlooped.

NTSB Identification: FTW00LA219
Accident occurred: JUL-29-00 at WALLER, TX
Aircraft: Let L-23 SUPER BLANKIT, registration: N105LW
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On July 29, 2000, at 1500 central daylight time, a LET L-23 Super Blankit non-powered glider, was destroyed when it impacted trees during the initial takeoff climb from the Skydive Houston Airport, Waller, Texas. The glider was registered to and operated by The Soaring Club of Houston, of Houston, Texas. The private pilot, who held a glider rating, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to witnesses, the glider departed and reached a height approximately 250 feet agl, when the tow-rope "broke." The glider then entered a nose high pitch attitude and "stalled." Subsequently, the glider impacted trees and the ground.

NTSB Identification: NYC00LA208
Accident occurred: JUL-22-00 at DANSVILLE, NY
Aircraft: Schreder HP-11-A, registration: N586A
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On July 22, 2000, about 1200 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt HP-11-A glider, N586A, was substantially damaged after impacting trees near Dansville, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the glider was towed to 1,500 feet, and released. The pilot flew "some" circles looking for lift and found a "weak' thermal at 200 feet. The location of the thermal was west of a ridgeline that ran southwest, about 1 mile east of the Dansville Airport (DSV), Dansville, New York. The glider climbed to 1,000 feet and began to drift from the winds aloft. The pilot attempted to find lift off of the ridgeline, but only encountered sink. The glider began to lose altitude and impacted trees about 2 miles east of DSV. The DSV weather reported at 1154 was, winds from 290 degrees at 7 knots, scattered clouds at 4,600 feet, broken cloud layer at 6,000 feet, and a temperature

NTSB Identification: CHI00LA188
Accident occurred: JUL-04-00 at GREGORY, MI
Aircraft: Schleicher ASW-20L, registration: N4804W
Injuries: 1 Minor.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On July 4, 2000, at 1250 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-20L, N4804W, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on runway 18 (2,450 feet by 100 feet, dry/turf) at the Richmond Field Airport (69G), Gregory, Michigan. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The flight had just departed 69G prior to the accident. According to the pilot, while flying the aero-tow he noticed that his pitch control was diminished and that the elevator control inputs were unresponsive. The pilot reported that he stayed on the aero-tow but was unable to remain clear of the tow-plane's propeller wash, and subsequently decided to release from the tow-plane, at approximately 1,000 feet above ground level (agl), on a downwind departure. Witnesses to the accident stated that the aircraft approached the airport at a high decent rate without any extended high-drag devices. The witnesses described the landing as a hard, and that the aircraft then bounced back into the air, approximately 50 feet agl, followed by a full-stop landing.

NTSB Identification: CHI00LA193
Accident occurred: JUL-01-00 at MANCHESTER, MI
Aircraft: Schleicher K8B, registration: N885D
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On July 1, 2000, at 1530 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher K8B, N885D, piloted by a student rated pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with a fence-post while on final approach to runway 18 (2,465 feet by 100 feet, dry/turf) at the Rossettie Airport, Manchester, Michigan. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local, solo flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight originated at the Rossettie Airport, exact time unknown.

June 2000

NTSB Identification: LAX00LA240
Accident occurred: JUN-23-00 at TEHACHAPI, CA
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 1-26C, registration: N2792Z
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On June 23, 2000, at 1315 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26C, N2792Z, impacted terrain while on approach for landing at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. The glider, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The commercial glider pilot received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The local area soaring flight had departed from the Mountain Valley Airport an unknown time on the day of the accident. A witness, interviewed by a deputy from the Kern County Sheriff's department, stated that he observed the glider make a right turn from downwind to base and continue in a descending 360-degree turn until it impacted terrain. According to the airport manager, the glider had been delivered to the airport on June 6th or 7th of 2000. The owner was observed to have reassembled the glider, and it had not been disassembled since that date. She indicated that the pilot soared at least once a week if not more, and that on Wednesday, June 21st the pilot had told her that he had a "good flight." In an interview with a Safety Board investigator, the airport manager who is also a certified weather observer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that weather is recorded once a day at 1600. She surveyed the weather at 1315 and reported that it was approximately 82 degrees Fahrenheit with winds from 260 degrees at 12 knots, the cloud layer was scattered at 14,000 feet.

NTSB Identification: LAX00LA217
Accident occurred: JUN-04-00 at PRESCOTT, AZ
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS-1-26, registration: N3814A
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On June 4, 2000, about 1520 hours mountain standard time, a Schweizer SGS-1-26 glider, N3814A, sustained substantial damage after colliding with terrain while landing at Coyote Run Gliderport, near Prescott, Arizona. Prescott Soaring Association operated the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The instructional flight departed Coyote Run about 1420. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that she dropped the microphone while encountering turbulence. It lodged behind the control stick and she could not apply aft stick. The glider maintained about a 15- to 20-degree nose down attitude until it collided with the ground and a fence. Both wings were damaged.

NTSB Identification: IAD00LA051
Accident occurred: JUN-02-00 at DANSVILLE, NY
Aircraft: Slingsby 41-2, registration: N41SL
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On June 2, 2000, at 1422 Eastern Daylight Time, a Slingsby 41-2, a glider, N41SL, was substantially damaged when it collided with a chain link fence on final approach to Runway 32 at the Dansville Airport (DSV), Dansville, New York. The certificated private pilot/co-owner was not injured. No flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The glider had departed DSV about 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. In a telephone interview, the pilot said: "It was pilot error, period. This was my second time flying the glider after being checked out by a flight instructor. I entered the downwind of the traffic pattern at 1,000 feet, which was 200 feet high. I tried to lose the extra altitude by using the air brake. I was not descending and decided to extend my downwind. I made the turn to final and was 'bucking' a 10-15 knot headwind. I thought I had closed the air brakes on final, but people on the ground after I landed said the brakes were still deployed. The entire approach felt and looked different than what I am used to. I was trying to clear the airport's perimeter fence to land on the 4,000 foot grass runway, but the skid caught it and the glider nosed over." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed an on-scene examination. According to the inspector, the glider collided with a 4 foot high chain link fence. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and bow. No damage was noted to the wings or tail. The pilot also stated that he was used to flying a Schweizer-126 that has a lower glide ratio than the Slingsby, which has a glide ratio of 30:1. He reported a total of 62 hours in gliders; 1.3 in make and model.

May 2000

NTSB Identification: IAD00LA046
Accident occurred: MAY-29-00 at STERLING, MA
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 2-33A, registration: N1225S
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 29, 2000, about 1330 Eastern Daylight Time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A Glider, was substantially damaged during landing at the Sterling Airport (3B3), Sterling, Massachusetts. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, he took off from 3B3 and was towed to an altitude of 2,700 feet. He reported the weather was "fairly cloudy," and he "could not find any lift." After approximately 15 minutes, the pilot returned to the airport and performed two 360 degree turns to enter a right traffic pattern for Runway 16. At an altitude of 1,200 feet above the ground, the pilot noticed the glider was higher than it should be. At the midfield point, on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the glider was 1,000 feet above the ground, and the spoilers were "on." The base leg of the traffic pattern was performed about 700 feet above the ground. When the glider was turned onto the final approach, the right wing was kept down and left rudder was applied to initiate a slip. The student pilot further stated that while on final approach the glider "didn't feel right," and it "usually made more noise" at this point. The pilot rolled the glider level for a moment, and then entered the slip again. After flying past "10-20%" of the 3,010 foot long runway, the pilot felt the slip wasn't working, and straightened out the glider. The glider touched down "90% down the runway," and the pilot realized his speed was too fast. The glider became airborne again, turned to the right, and touched down a second time on a road located about 10 feet below the runway elevation. The glider proceeded through an embankment and hit several road signs with both wings, before turning 180 degrees and coming to rest. The pilot stated that the winds were not a factor in the accident. He reported that a check of the wind sock before takeoff revealed it was "barely off the pole." The pilot additionally stated the reason for the accident was an "ineffective slip." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the glider, reported that the skid mount under the nose was broken, the tailwheel was broken, and both wings displayed impact damage.

NTSB Identification: SEA00LA096
Accident occurred: MAY-29-00 at EPHRATA, WA
Aircraft: AS+ (RUSSIA) AS-4, registration: N1995M
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 29, 2000, approximately 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Russia AS+ sailplane model AS-4, N1995M, registered to Evergreen Soaring, Inc. and being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing approximately five nautical miles northwest of Ephrata, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Ephrata, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that while maneuvering he encountered a sink, lost altitude, and then attempted to execute an off-airport landing. He maneuvered towards a plowed field but was unable to reach his intended landing site. During the landing roll the glider's right wing contacted the sage covered ground and the aircraft sustained empennage and horizontal stabilizer damage.

NTSB Identification: DEN00LA096
Accident occurred: MAY-27-00 at HURRICANE, UT
Aircraft: Eiriavion Oy PIK 20E, registration: N35LP
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 27, 2000, at 1430 mountain daylight time, a Eiriavion Oy PIK 20E power glider, N35LP, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff near Hurricane, Utah. The private pilot was not injured. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to preliminary information, the engine lost all power during initial climb following takeoff and the pilot conducted a forced landing in a field and incurred damage to the empennage. A Bombadier Rotax engine powered the power glider.

NTSB Identification: MIA00LA165
Accident occurred: MAY-22-00 at PENSACOLA, FL
Aircraft: Blanik L-13, registration: N90867
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 22, 2000, about 1400 central daylight time, a Let Blanik L-13, N90867, registered to the Coastal Soaring Association, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed while attempting a landing in the vicinity of Pensacola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The glider received substantial damage and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from the same airport about 1 hour before the accident. According to the pilot, he misjudged the point at which he should begin his turn for approach, and as a result ended up low and slow on final approach. He collided with a barbed-wire airport perimeter fence, shearing off the right horizontal stabilizer and bending the right wing spar.

NTSB Identification: LAX00LA201
Accident occurred: MAY-21-00 at MINDEN, NV
Aircraft: ISSOIRE SIREN PIK-30, registration: N30PK
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 21, 2000, at 1450 hours Pacific daylight time, an Issoire Siren PIK-30 glider, N30PK, collided with a fence, short of the runway while landing at the Minden-Tahoe airport, Minden Nevada. The experimental glider, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private glider pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed the Minden-Tahoe airport at an unknown time. Witnesses reported that the glider came in shallow for landing at the airport, and touched down outside of the airport perimeter fence. The glider became airborne again and flew through fencing that consisted of five strands of barbed wire. The top two strands of barbed wire broke the canopy and struck the pilot. The glider then came to rest after it impacted a post from a second fence.

NTSB Identification: NYC00LA135
Accident occurred: MAY-13-00 at WELLINGTON, OH
Aircraft: Grob G103, registration: N3872G
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 13, 2000, about 1505 Eastern Daylight Time, a Grob G103 (glider), N3872G, was substantially damaged during an aborted climb-out from Botsford Airport (67D), Wellington, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the glider was being towed by an airplane. About 150 feet above the ground, the rear canopy opened, and the pilot decided to abort the climb. He released from tow, and attempted to land back at 67D. During the attempt, he lost control of the glider and impacted terrain. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

NTSB Identification: NYC00LA130
Accident occurred: MAY-07-00 at KUTZTOWN, PA
Aircraft: Evan M. Ludeman HP-18, registration: N67TT
Injuries: 1 Minor.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 7, 2000, about 1240 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt HP-18, a glider, N67TT, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Kutztown Airport, Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a witness, a powered airplane was towing the glider. During the takeoff roll, the glider swerved to the left and began to porpoise. The glider disconnected from the powered airplane, flipped over on its back and came to rest inverted.

NTSB Identification: ATL00LA054
Accident occurred: MAY-07-00 at FARMINGTON, NC
Aircraft: Schweizer SGU2-22E, registration: N2728Z
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 7, 2000, at 1745 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGU2-22E glider, N2728Z, collided with the ground 100 yards short of runway 18 during an attempted landing to Berts Field in Farmington, North Carolina. The instructional flight was operated by the flight instructor under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The glider sustained substantial damage, and the flight instructor and the dual student were not injured. The local flight departed Farmington, North Carolina, at an undetermined time. According to the flight instructor, he and the dual student were returning to Farmington for a full-stop landing when the accident occurred. While on final approach to land, the flight instructor realized that they were too low for a safe landing on the runway. The flight instructor took the flight controls from the dual student and attempted a landing in a field short of the runway surface. The glider received substantial structural damage during the off-field landing.

NTSB Identification: SEA00LA085
Accident occurred: MAY-06-00 at SEASIDE, OR
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 1-35, registration: N34173
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 6, 2000, approximately 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-35 glider, N34173, collided with trees during a forced landing about three miles east of Seaside, Oregon. The commercial pilot was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight, which departed McMinnville Airport, McMinnville, Oregon, about four hours earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, he had flown to an area near Astoria, Oregon, and then attempted to soar south along the western side of the Coastal Range. While passing southeast of Seaside, he entered an area of reduced lift, and elected to divert to the Seaside Airport. As he got closer to the airport, he entered an area of sinking air, and ultimately determined that he would not be able to safely reach the airport. He therefore made a controlled forced landing in some young trees adjacent to a road running through the valley he was following toward Seaside.

NTSB Identification: MIA00LA148
Accident occurred: MAY-06-00 at JACKSONVILLE, FL
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS 2-33, registration: N5738S
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 6, 2000, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33, N5738S, registered to and operated by the North Florida Soaring Society, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed on landing at Herlong Airport, Jacksonville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The glider incurred substantial damage, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight originated the same day, about 1410. The pilot stated that he was maneuvering over the airport, executing steep turns to dissipate his altitude in preparation for a landing, but as he flew the landing pattern, he noted he was too far from the airport. During maneuvering to reach the airport, he entered a spin, recovered from the spin, and then maneuvered to avoid wires. During the subsequent landing, the glider collided with shrubs and small branches, and the left wing was damaged.

April 2000

NTSB Identification: SEA00LA077
Accident occurred: APR-22-00 at HOOD RIVER, OR
Aircraft: PZL Bielsko JANTAR-2A-SZD 42-1, registration: N272AS
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On April 22, 2000, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, a PZL Jantar 42-1 glider, N272AS, groundlooped during a landing on the grass runway at Hood River Airport, Hood River, Oregon. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed the same runway about three hours and forty-five minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, during his first attempt at a takeoff from the grass strip on the day of the accident, the wing of the 20.5 meter glider started to become entangled in the long grass, so he released from the tow plane and aborted the takeoff. After inspecting the main landing gear for any damage that might have resulted from the sideloads created by the wing entanglement, the pilot made an uneventful takeoff and soared around the Mt. Hood area. Although during retraction and extension, the gear mechanism seemed stiffer than normal, the pilot had no trouble getting the gear down and locked for landing. Upon return to the airport, the pilot elected to land on the same grass runway from which he departed. Just as the main gear touched down, the aircraft's wing again became entangled in the long grass, resulting in the aircraft turning sideways and sliding along the runway surface. As the aircraft slide down the runway, the main gear collapsed to the side and the fuselage separated just aft of the wing trailing edge.

March 2000

NTSB Identification: IAD00LA025
Accident occurred: MAR-04-00 at BLAIRSTOWN, NJ
Aircraft: I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2, registration: N97VT
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On March 4, 2000, at 1352 eastern standard time, a I.C.A. Brasov IS-28B2, a glider, N97VT, was destroyed after colliding with trees during an off airport landing near Blairstown, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local pleasure flight that originated at the Blairstown Airport (1N7), at 1300. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. In a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated: "At first we were thermaling, and then flew to the ridge. After arriving at the ridge, we realized the ridge was not working. We were at 2,000 feet when we departed the ridge to head back to the airport. On the way back to the airport we hit a real bad sink. I said to [the passenger] that I did not think we were going to make it to the airport. [My passenger] located an open field and we headed for it. I knew it would be close and we ended up colliding with the top five foot sections of the trees bordering the field. We stopped dead in the trees, then dropped to the ground." The glider landed on private property approximately 3 miles southwest of the Blairstown Airport. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspectors examined the glider on-site. The FAA Inspectors reported that the glider hit the tops of the trees, dropped approximately 70 feet to the ground, and hit flat on it's belly. The cockpit was destroyed, both wings were bent upwards, and the base of the vertical stabilizer was wrinkled. There were dents along the leading edge of the right and left wings. The aircraft was owned and operated by Aero Club Albatross. According to the club's President, the glider was launched around 1300, for a local pleasure flight. In a telephone interview, the club president reported there may have been a wind shift during the flight. Blairstown Airport did not have weather reporting capability. At 1254, at Andover Airport (12N), Andover, New Jersey, approximately 12 miles east of 1N7, winds were variable at 6 knots. At 1354, winds were at 360 degrees, variable to 040 degrees, at 10 knots gusting to 16 knots. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and gliders. He was also a certificated flight instructor in gliders. The pilot reported a total flight time of approximately 1,250 hours, of which 380 hours were in gliders and 10 hours in make and model.

February 2000

NTSB Identification: IAD00FA023
Accident occurred: FEB-23-00 at PLYMOUTH, MA
Aircraft: Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT, registration: N64RG
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On February 23, 2000, at approximately 1442 eastern standard time, an Aerotechnik L-13 SEH Vivat, a motor glider, was destroyed when it collided with trees during approach to runway 24 at the Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts. The certificated flight instructor was fatally injured and the certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at PYM, approximately 1400, for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The purpose of flight was for the private pilot to receive a biennial flight review. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector interviewed the pilot in the hospital. According to the Inspector's record of conversation, the pilot said: "Before the flight, [the flight instructor] said it was windy and that they should fly conservatively. [The flight instructor] sat in the right seat and he was in the left seat. After departure, they had been 'thermaling' over runway 24 and 33 between 2,000 and 3,000 feet for sometime. He was flying the glider until they were on downwind for landing. He was not comfortable with the approach, because he is used to landing with power. He turned the airplane over to [the flight instructor] who normally lands without power. He thought the base turn was going to be tight and [the flight instructor] was 'carving' the turn toward the runway. The whole event happened in a matter of seconds and he noted the airspeed to be around 70 knots. He thought [the flight instructor] was going to try and balloon over the trees. The glider hit a 'sink' and was being pushed downward into the trees. [The flight instructor] stated, 'He was not going to make the runway and would head for the grass instead.' The glider started coming down through the trees, when it caught the right wing on a tree and came to rest on the right side." A witness was in his office located on the airport around 1445, when he learned that the glider had crashed and responded to the crash site. According to his written statement, he said: "I drove to the area and climbed the fence to get to the glider. The glider was on a heading of about 300 degrees and was inverted with a small part of the cockpit/canopy visible (the left side). I could see a person moving in the airplane, and I lifted the now inverted left wing over my head to open the hole between the fuselage and the ground so he could crawl out. I then assisted him to his feet and walked him to a log where he sat waiting for EMTs. I tried to feel for a pulse on the other occupant, but was unable to find one. The passenger told me his name and was coherent and talking well. When I asked how the accident occurred, he told me that they hit three downdrafts. After the first, they attempted a restart of the engine, which was unsuccessful. After the second downdraft, he said that the pilot/instructor, remarked, 'We aren't going to make the runway, we will have to put it on the grass; I hope we don't scratch it too much.' The passenger stated there were no communications between him and the pilot after that. The passenger then stated that the third downdraft put them into the trees just short of a clearing at the approach end of the runway." On-site investigation revealed the airplane crashed approximately 1/4 mile east of runway 24 on a heading of 270 degrees. The airplane collided with several pine trees before coming to rest partially inverted on its right side approximately 105 feet from the first point of contact. Approximately 19 feet of the right wing was sheered from the airplane, and located at the base of a pine tree. The propeller was feathered and engine continuity was established my manual rotation of the propeller. The landing gear was extended, the spoilers were deployed, and the flaps were found retracted. No pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies were noted with the airframe or engine. Weather at PYM, at 1452, was wind 220 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 23 knots, few clouds at 8,500 feet, and visibility 10 statute miles. The flight instructor held a commercial and flight instructor certificate for gliders and a private pilot certificate for single-engine land airplanes. The passenger held a private pilot certificate for gliders and single-engine land airplanes. He was owner of another L-13 SEH Vivat glider and reported a total of 200 hours in make and model.

NTSB Identification: MIA00LA093
Accident occurred: FEB-19-00 at MIAMI, FL
Aircraft: Schweizer SGS2-33A, registration: N460AK
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On February 19, 2000, about 1300 eastern standard time, a Schweizer SGS2-33A glider, N460AK, owned by a private individual impacted with the ground during an approach near Miami, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The glider was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from a private glider field about 15 minutes earlier. The glider was on approach and did not have sufficient altitude to clear power lines about 150 feet from the runway. The pilot turned the glider to the left to avoid contacting the power lines. The left wing tip contacted the ground. The glider came to rest heading in the opposite direction.

Back to the NTSB Page