# Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER - Type: Aircraft model (FAA registry) - Registry code: 8451016 - Manufacturer (registry): SPORTAVIA PUTZER - Model: RF5B SPERBER - Aircraft type: Glider - Category: Glider - Engines: 1 · Reciprocating - Seats: 2 - Weight class: Up to 12,499 lb - Cruise speed: 60 mph - Certification: Not type certificated - Registered aircraft: 8 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/model/sportavia-putzer-rf5b-sperber Model codes come from the FAA registry's reference file. ADs are matched to them by model name and maker. ## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs) Matched to this model by model name and maker. Each AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. None matched. ## Registered aircraft (8) - [N55BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55BG): [Chick James E](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/CHICK%20JAMES%20E), [New Oxford, PA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/PA/New%20Oxford), built 1972, S/N 51006 - [N55GS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55GS): [Triple Cities Soaring Society](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/TRIPLE%20CITIES%20SOARING%20SOCIETY), [Endicott, NY](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NY/Endicott), built 1973, S/N 51031 - [N55HG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55HG): [Dilse Ted Jr](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/DILSE%20TED%20JR), [Scranton, ND](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/ND/Scranton), built 1977, S/N 51074 - [N55RN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55RN): [Richards William B](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/RICHARDS%20WILLIAM%20B), [Gold Hill, OR](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/OR/Gold%20Hill), built 1973, S/N 51026 - [N55SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55SM): [Gyenes Collin M](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/GYENES%20COLLIN%20M), [Mcminnville, OR](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/OR/Mcminnville), built 1974, S/N 51053 - [N99809](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99809): [N99809 LLC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/N99809%20LLC), [Boulder, CO](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/CO/Boulder), built 1975, S/N 51060 - [N99814](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99814): [Grillmair Carl J](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/GRILLMAIR%20CARL%20J), [Littlerock, CA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/CA/Littlerock), built 1975, S/N 51062 - [N99818](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99818): [Slad George W](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/SLAD%20GEORGE%20W), [Albuquerque, NM](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NM/Albuquerque), built 1976, S/N 51064 ## NTSB investigations (6) 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 WPR18LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA145), May 22, 2018: Sportavia Putzer RF5B Sperber (N66GL), Lookout Pass, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to continue flight toward rising terrain after the engine overheated, which necessitated a precautionary landing when the motorglider could not maintain altitude in… - [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. - [NTSB NYC91LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA228), Sep 1, 1991: Sportavia-Putzer RF5B (N55SM), Lockport, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE GLIDER DURING LANDING. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED ON APPROACH. - [NTSB NYC83LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA179), Jul 16, 1983: Sportavia-Putzer RF5B Sperber (N55WV), Warren, VT, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC76FGM42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FGM42), Aug 10, 1976: Sportavia RF-5B (N55SM), Penfield, PA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX76DVA34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DVA34), Jan 17, 1976: Sportavia RF-5B (N55JH), Edison, CA, destroyed ## FAA accident and incident reports (7) 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. - [Accident 20180522005799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180522005799A), May 22, 2018: Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER (N66GL), Lookout Pass, MT, Destroyed. On may 22, 2018, at 1448 MDT. A Sportavia Putzer glider, crashed onto highway 90 on the Montana state side, while enroute to seattle Washington. Visual… - [Incident 20100502032749I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100502032749I), May 2, 2010: Sportavia P RF5B SPERBE (N55RN), Medford, OR, Minor damage. After takeoff of experimental exhibition airplane pilot noted unusual feel during centerline main landing gear (MLG) retraction. The pilot attempted to extend… - [Accident 19910902038929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902038929A), Sep 2, 1991: Sptpuz RF5B (N55SM), Lockport, NY, Substantial damage. Struck brush on side of runway on landing rotating glider into larger brush. Blamed runway misalignment on wind gust - [Incident 19840422022449I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840422022449I), Apr 22, 1984: Sptpuz RF5B (N55SH), Barstow, CA, Minor damage. Landed gear up. Did not hear warning horn. Forgot to check gear down. - [Accident 19830716032999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830716032999A), Jul 16, 1983: Sptpuz RF5B (N55WV), Warren, VT, Substantial damage. Crosswind exceeded aircraft limitations. Wing raised and caught vegetation causing glider to rotate damaging wing. - [Accident 19760810023859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760810023859A), Aug 10, 1976: Sptpuz RF5B (N55SM), Penfield, PA, Substantial damage. Lost power at 3200 ft,engine not equipped with carburetor heat system - [Accident 19760117000929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760117000929A), Jan 17, 1976: Sptpuz RF5B (N55JH), Edison, CA, Destroyed. Single wheel powered glider. Lnd on farm rd. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.