# N55GS: 1973 Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER

- Status: Valid registration
- Airframe: [Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER](https://openairdocs.org/model/sportavia-putzer-rf5b-sperber) (registry code 8451016, 2 seats)
- Engine: [Limbach LIMBACH L2000](https://openairdocs.org/engine/limbach-limbach-l2000) (registry code 38601)
- Serial number: 51031
- Year built: 1973
- Type: Glider
- Engine type: Reciprocating
- Airworthiness: Experimental, exhibition
- Airworthiness date: May 12, 2006
- Certificate issued: October 19, 2010
- Expires: October 31, 2029
- Mode S code: A6FDB9
- Registered owner: [Triple Cities Soaring Society](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/TRIPLE%20CITIES%20SOARING%20SOCIETY)
- Location: [Endicott, NY](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NY/Endicott)
- Owner type: Corporation
- Owner's area on the map: 42.0975° N, 76.0634° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Endicott, NY, within about a mile (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based
- FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=55GS
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55GS

From the FAA registry file of October 22, 2026. ADs below are matched by the registry's airframe and engine model codes. They may apply; each AD's applicability can narrow it by serial number, part number or installed equipment. This is not a compliance determination.

## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs): 0 in force

### Matched by airframe (Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER)

None in force.

### Matched by engine (Limbach LIMBACH L2000)

None in force.

## Information bulletins (advisory)

None matched.

## NTSB investigations (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC00LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA108), Apr 1, 2000: Sportavia Putzer RF-5B (N55GS), Gillespie, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper weather evaluation, resulting in a tailwind departure.

## FAA accident and incident reports

None matched to N55GS.

## Service difficulty reports

None filed for this aircraft. Matched to this aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model.

## STCs that may be installed (OpenAirDocs)

None matched to this aircraft's models.

## Related

- Other Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/sportavia-putzer-rf5b-sperber/aircraft.md
- The Limbach LIMBACH L2000 engine: https://openairdocs.org/engine/limbach-limbach-l2000.md

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