# Accident 20160321002079A: Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, Pine Grove, PA, March 21, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 21, 2016, 11:20 local time
- Place: Pine Grove, PA
- Airport: N/A
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.3553° N, 76.2614° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3553&lon=-76.2614&mi=10
- Aircraft: N16BP, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16BP-2016-10-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 (registry code 3801267, https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls8-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS8-18
- Reported engine: N/A N/A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 917 total, 463 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA156) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160321002079A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PIC WAS RIDGE/SLOPE SOARING ON A CROSSCOUNTRY FLIGHT. WIND WAS 15 TO 20 KNOTS PREVAILING FROM THE WEST/NORTHWEST.

THE PIC WAS FLYING UPWIND OF THE RIDGE HEADING SOUTH/SOUTHWEST FOLLOWING THE RIDGE WHEN HE LOST LIFT.

THE PIC ATTEMPTED A OFF AIRPORT LANDING (GRASS FIELD). THE PIC REPORTED HE ENCOUNTERED GUSTY DOWNDRAFTS ON SHORT FINAL. THE PIC LANDED SHORT OF HIS INTENDED LANDING POINT IN THE TREES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 GAA16CA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA156), Mar 21, 2016: Rolladen-Schneider LS8 (N16BP), Pine Grove, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain the glider's descent rate and glide path after encountering a downdraft, resulting in a collision with trees during an off airport landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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