# NTSB investigations: Thermal lifting

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 53 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA311.md): HPH Glasflugel 304CZ · Xenia, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2026 · N304BS · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB ERA26LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA199.md): Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 · Greenwood, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 20, 2026 · N27CU · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot’s encounter with a strong sink/loss of lift, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA010.md): Glasflugel STD Libelle 201B · Moriarty, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 5, 2025 · N1095G · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB CEN25LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA271.md): PZL Swidnik PW-5 · Kerrick, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2025 · N4426Z · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB WPR25LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA177.md): Rolladen Schneider LS-7WL · Tonasket, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 11, 2025 · N78AW · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB WPR25LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA138.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Hood River, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 19, 2025 · N5786S · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB ERA25LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA181.md): Schleicher ASW-19 · Zephyrhills, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 2, 2025 · N37PL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate inflight planning and an encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in an off-airport landing and collision with a fence.
- [NTSB WPR24LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA274.md): Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir · Minden, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2024 · N125CC · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and a subsequent collision with an obstacle during an off-field landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA216.md): Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI · Parowan, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 24, 2024 · N517PB · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain?flight.
- [NTSB ERA24LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA291.md): Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Astir CS · Benton, NH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2024 · N152SS · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR23LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA245.md): Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Williams, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 26, 2023 · N26DX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA364.md): Schleicher ASW-20 · Hood River, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 29, 2022 · N220CW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB ERA22LA407](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA407.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Mount Bethel, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2022 · N17867 · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions, where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight resulting in an off-airport landing and collision with powerlines.
- [NTSB ERA22LA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA388.md): Schleicher K7 · Mayville, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2022 · N107AS · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB CEN22LA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA370.md): Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib · Highland, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 6, 2022 · N424BG · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB ERA22LA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA365.md): Schweizer SGS 1-26D · Windsor, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2022 · N249AF · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions, where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB WPR22LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA223.md): DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S · Lake Chelan, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 22, 2022 · N767SS · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to overfly a suitable landing site which resulted in an off-field landing in a lake.
- [NTSB WPR22LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA225.md): Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 · Tahoe Vista, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2022 · N536LS · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent water ditching.
- [NTSB WPR22LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA150.md): Alexander Schleicher ASK 21 · Valyermo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2022 · N212NM · Substantial damage
  > The gliders encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA007.md): Schweizer SGS 2-32 · San Juan Baptista, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2021 · N87R · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA290.md): Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · Levan, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2021 · N4446Y · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight which resulted in an off-airport landing and a collision with a fence.
- [NTSB WPR21LA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA235.md): HPH Glasflugel · Winthrop, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2021 · N974CQ · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB ERA21LA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA395.md): Schempp Hirth Ventus C · Wagener, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 22, 2021 · N571RD · Substantial damage
  > Impact with trees during a forced landing in atmospheric lift conditions that were insufficient to maintain flight. Contributing was the pilot’s delayed decision to return to the airport.
- [NTSB WPR20CA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA273.md): Schweizer SGS233 · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2020 · N7547 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB WPR20CA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA151.md): Let L 33 Solo · Arlington, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2020 · N355BA · Substantial damage
  > The loss of lift while on final approach which resulted in a hard off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ERA20CA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA178.md): Schempp Hirth Ventus 2CT · Stuarts Draft, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2020 · N514TW · Substantial damage
  > A loss of thermal lift during a motor glider flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed attempted engine start.
- [NTSB ERA20CA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA151.md): Pipistrel Sinus · Townsend, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 10, 2020 · N711MK · Substantial damage
  > The motor glider's encounter with atmospheric lift conditions that were not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing and resulted in impact with vegetation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to restart the…
- [NTSB WPR19FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA241.md): Glaser Dirks DG 300 Elan · Wilkeson, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 25, 2019 · N300GG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to land following a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in collision with trees during the landing approach.
- [NTSB GAA19CA484](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA484.md): Cameron A 210 · Hume, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2019 · N6533Q · No damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and a serious passenger injury.
- [NTSB CEN19FA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA211.md): Grob G103 · Brandon, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 6, 2019 · N106NS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate clearance from a tree during an attempted off-field landing.
- [NTSB CEN19LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA193.md): Robinson R22 · Garwood, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N7143Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low level operations.
- [NTSB WPR18TA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA192.md): Schempp Hirth Discus CS · Goldfield, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jul 11, 2018 · N104TH · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions that were not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing on uneven terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA377.md): Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C · Panguitch, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 24, 2018 · N963CG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain altitude and his delayed decision to deploy the powered-glider’s engine, which necessitated an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA314.md): Schleicher ASW · Nephi, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2018 · N428US · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a hard off-airport landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA283.md): Schweizer SGS123 · Tunbridge, VT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 13, 2018 · N9915J · Substantial damage
  > The student glider’s inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA263.md): Schweizer SGS 1 26 · Springfield, VT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 5, 2018 · N17909 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain sufficient altitude after the glider encountered downdrafts during the approach, which resulted in the glider striking trees.
- [NTSB GAA17CA427](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA427.md): Let L23 · Deatsville, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 21, 2017 · N342BA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees and power lines while landing.
- [NTSB CEN17FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA231.md): Gefa-Flug AS-105-GD · Hartford, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2017 · G-SUNA · Destroyed
  > The overpressurization failure of the airship envelope as a result of the airship's encounter with gusty wind conditions and thermal activity. Contributing to the accident was the jammed Plexiglass venting panel.
- [NTSB GAA17CA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA196.md): Schweizer SGS126 · Bangor, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 11, 2017 · N17933 · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ERA16CA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA227.md): Pezetel SZD 48-1JANTAR STD 2 · Maysville, WV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2016 · N438QA · Substantial damage
  > The glider's encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA261.md): Rolladen-Schneider OHG LS3 · Blairstown, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 25, 2016 · N63761 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees on final.
- [NTSB WPR16LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA108.md): Cessna 180 · California City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 2016 · N9370C · Substantial damage
  > A directional upset on landing due to a thermally induced atmospheric disturbance, which the pilot was unable to successfully counter due to improperly set rudder travel limits.
- [NTSB ERA15LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA375.md): Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2CT · Blacksburg, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N710JC · Substantial damage
  > A loss of thermal lift during a motor glider flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines during the off-airport landing attempt.
- [NTSB WPR14CA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA138.md): DG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S · Wrightwood, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 15, 2014 · N624RM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to maneuver the glider where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in an off airport landing.
- [NTSB CEN13CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA079.md): Schweizer SGS 2-32 · Boulder, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 29, 2012 · N9929J · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot's inability to locate an area of thermal lift.
- [NTSB WPR13LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA007.md): Schleicher ASH25M · Kamuela, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 2012 · N513WK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider after it encountered atmospheric conditions while maneuvering where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain during the subsequent approach to land.
- [NTSB WPR12CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA278.md): Schweizer SGS 1-36 · Bishop, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2012 · N3617U · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ERA11CA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA288.md): Schleicher ASW-27 · Athens, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 7, 2011 · N27LX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in a collision with power lines while making an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB WPR10CA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA288.md): Burkhart Grob G103C Twin III Acro · Minden, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 11, 2010 · N41KP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's encounter with an area of degraded lift during cruise flight, resulting in a forced off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ERA10CA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA291.md): Schweizer SGS 1-36 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 28, 2010 · N36204 · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot’s delayed decision to divert following a loss of thermal lift.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '03031040'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases

---
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.