# NTSB BFO90DIG01: Rolladen-Schneider LS-6, N511M, Cabins, WV, February 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1990, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Cabins, WV
- Coordinates: 39.059394, -78.959503 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0594&lon=-78.9595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90DIG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90DIG01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO DETECT AND REMAIN CLEAR OF THE POWER LINE WHICH CROSSED THE FIELD IN WHICH HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE GLIDER FLYING NORMALLY AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND APPEARED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO LAND. DURING THE LANDING APPROACH, THE GLIDER CONTACTED A POWER LINE WHICH SLICED THROUGH THE CANOPY, FATALLY INJURING THE PILOT. THE GLIDER THEN DESCENDED TO THE TERRAIN AND CONTACTED A BARBED WIRE FENCE PRIOR TO COMING TO REST. FLAPS WERE FOUND IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION AND THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED. OTHER PILOTS IN THE AREA REPORTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE AND STRONG ROTOR ACTIVITY IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N511M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N511M), registered now, S/N 6037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-6
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-6) (registry code 3801260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 6037
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Armin Adolf Czudnochowsky
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PETERSBURG, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900219002269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900219002269A), Feb 19, 1990: Rolsch LS6, Cabins, WV, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Off airport landing. Struck powerline and crashed. Powerline sliced into canopy.

## Other investigations on N511M (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 FTW98LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA262), Jun 11, 1998: Rolladen-Schneider LS-6A (N511M), Green River, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. Factor's were the unforecasted weather (tail wind) and the inadvertent stall/spin.

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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