What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On January 28, 2001 at approx. 1500 EST, N814CU, a schempp-hirth glider, model discus cs was substantially damaged attempting to land at Wurtsboro airport, Wurtsboro, NY. Several witnesses observed the pilot performing a high speed pass over runway 23, pulling up to approx. 500 ft AGL stating that the glider was in a nose high altitude and appeared to be slow. Witnesses observed glider on a left base to runway 23, 300-400 ft AGL entering descending left turn at 6O degree bank and 45 degree nose down attitude entering what appeared to be a stall/spin to some witnesses. Glider disappeared behind tree line and impacted swamp area. Certificated private pilot was fatally injured. This investigation is closed.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON JANUARY 28, 2001 AT APPROX. 1500 EST, N814CU, A SCHEMPP-HIRTH GLIDER, MODEL DISCUS CS WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT WURTSBORO AIRPORT, WURTSBORO, NY. SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PILOT PERFORMING A HIGH SPEED PASS OVER RUNWAY 23, PULLING UP TO APPROX. 500 FT AGL STATING THAT THE GLIDER WAS IN A NOSE HIGH ALTITUDE AND APPEARED TO BE SLOW. WITNESSES OBSERVED GLIDER ON A LEFT BASE TO RUNWAY 23, 300-400 FT AGL ENTERING DESCENDING LEFT TURN AT 6O DEGREE BANK AND 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE ENTERING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A STALL/SPIN TO SOME WITNESSES. GLIDER DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREE LINE AND IMPACTED SWAMP AREA. CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.