# Accident 20221008016539A: Schempp-Hirth DISCUS CS, October 8, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 8, 2022, 09:45 local time
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.8820° N, 78.5578° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8820&lon=-78.5578&mi=10
- Aircraft: N520RJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N520RJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schempp-Hirth DISCUS CS (registry code 38019VS, https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-discus-cs) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHEMPP-HIRTH DISCUS CS
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 317 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA013) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221008016539A

## Narrative

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

ON OCTOBER 8, 2022, AT APPROXIMATELY 0945 LOCAL TIME, AIRCRAFT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ A SCHEMPP-HIRTH GLIDER WAS FLYING AT APPROXIMATELY 3700 FEET, WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING ITS CANOPY SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ENROUTE FROM FRONT ROYAL WARREN COUNTY AIRPORT (KFRR) TO BURNER AIRPORT (VG55).  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS LOOKING LEFT WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT THE WIND BLAST. ADDITIONALLY, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE CANOPY FLY OFF NOR DID HE SEE A BIRD OR OTHER OBJECT. INITIALLY, THE PILOT THOUGHT THAT HE MAY HAVE JETTISONED THE CANOPY, BUT NOTED THAT THE LATCH AND JETTISON HANDLES WERE IN THE NORMAL POSITION. SINCE THE PILOT WAS WEARING SUNGLASSES AT THE TIME, HIS VISION WAS NOT COMPROMISED ALLOWING HIM TO COMPLETE A NORMAL LANDING AT BURNER AIRPORT (VG55). DURING THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TO HEAVY TURBULENCE CAUSING THE PILOT TO HIT THE TOP OF HIS HEAD ON THE CANOPY TWICE, BUT NOT HARD. THE PILOTS’ LAP BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS WERE SNUG. PRIOR TO FLIGHT, A FULL PREFLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED THAT INCLUDED A POSITIVE CONTROL CHECK. THE DUTY OFFICER CONFIRMED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, THAT THE CANOPY WAS CLOSED AND LATCHED THROUGH THE PINS. THE SINGLE PILOT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. AT THAT TIME THE FAA WAS NOTIFIED.

## 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 ERA23LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA013), Oct 8, 2022: Schempp-Hirth Discus CS (N520RJ), Woodstock, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Improper repair of a crack by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a subsequent failure of the glider canopy.

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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