20120506008659A

5-7-2012: On scene investigation of a sailplane accident that occurred on may 6, 2012. The accident occurred at the Puckett Field glider port located in bedford county, Tennessee. The sailplane, N39RB, crashed approximately 1016 feet from the north end of the grass field runway. The sailplane was destroyed in the accident. The pilot, privacy data omitted, was injured in the accident and was flown to the vanderbilt university medical center in nashville, TN, by the vanderbilt life flight helicopter. Mr. Gary davis, witness and co-owner of the sailplane, was interviewed at the accident site. In the interview and in his e-mailed statement, he indicated the sailplane was in a left base at 200 to 250 feet AGL for a north landing. He then heard a call "39RB turning final for a north landing", and as he turned north, he did not descend as normal and veered further west, as if he misplaced the runway, and proceeded to fly then a right hand pattern for a south landing. It appeared the pilot of N39RB changed approach ends of the runway to avoid a glider being towed onto the runway. As N39RB proceeded to continue the approach, it struck a 40 foot tall cedar tree while turning on final. Mr. Davis further stated that he did not see the actual impact with the ground. Another witness, Mr. Geoffrey newkirk, who was interviewed by the bedford county sheriff`s department, stated that he did see the descent and crash. He stated that the glider started climbing just prior to the crash, made a hard bank to the right, rolled upside down, then went down very fast, clipping a tree. He further stated that the glider crashed upside down in the roadway of 41A north inbound lane. The pilot, mr. Douglas miller, stated that he was flying the PIK20D Sunday may 6, and started preparing for a landing. The wind was shifting around at the time of his takeoff to the south, and for the landing, it appeared more favorable to land to the north. He set up for a landing to the north and had the gear down, when he noticed a glider being pulled out on the field, and he was not sure of what the glider was going to do. He further stated he was concerned about having enough clearance to avoid a conflict with the glider on the ground. He stated he continued downwind to the north for a south approach. The last thing that he he remembered before impact was that he felt that he was in a lot of very strong sink. The next thing that he remembered was waking up in the back of an ambulance and being loaded on to the vanderbilt helicopter.