# NTSB ATL83LA223: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4A, N60LS, Ashburn, GA, June 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1983, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Ashburn, GA
- Coordinates: 31.70038, -83.650421 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7004&lon=-83.6504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA223

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A SOARING CONTEST & WAS ON A ROUND ROBIN COURSE FROM CORDELE, GA TO PERRY, DAWSON, SYLVESTER & BACK TO CORDELE. ON THE RETURN LEG, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT LIFT TO COMPLETE THE TRIP, SO AN ALTERNATE LANDING SITE (WHEAT FIELD) WAS SELECTED. DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED A PATCH OF GRAIN THAT HAD NOT BEEN CUT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GLIDER GROUND LOOPED DAMAGING THE FUSELAGE & LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60LS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60LS), registered now, S/N 4192, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-4A
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-4) (registry code 3801250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4192
- Airframe hours: 44
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Florida C. Eschenberg
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 02J, CORDELE, GA
- Airport: 75J, Turner Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,686 total, 98 in this make and model, 1,627 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830608024619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830608024619A), Jun 8, 1983: Rolsch LS4, Ashburn, GA, Substantial damage. Ran out of lift on glider cross country meet. Landed in a cut over wheat field. A wing hit a clump of uncut wheat.

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.

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