# NTSB ERA10CA176: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4, N465CB, Jasper, TN, March 15, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 15, 2010, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Jasper, TN - Coordinates: 35.104442, -85.512779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1044&lon=-85.5128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75511/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75511 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA176 ## Probable cause The inadequate in-flight planning by the glider pilot to intentionally cross a ridge at low altitude, resulting in the in-flight collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=3801250), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3801250), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3801250), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot stated that he intended on attempting the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) gold badge distance of 300 kilometers (186.42-mile) cross-country flight. He also stated that he felt pressure to fly first. The glider was towed aloft to 2,000 feet mean sea level, and released. He flew to the north side of a ridge and found lift, then flew south toward the airport in an effort to stay closer to it, intending on finding lift before proceeding. While approaching the ridge he encountered sink, and elected to cross the ridge. He crossed the ridge at approximately 300 feet above ground level and he could see the airport, but was unable to reach it. He maneuvered the glider for a landing into trees along the ridge. There was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the glider. The pilot later stated he should have landed in fields in the valley. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot stated that he intended on attempting the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) gold badge distance of 300 kilometers (186.42-mile) cross-country flight. He also stated that he felt pressure to fly first. The glider was towed aloft to 2,000 feet mean sea level, and released. He flew to the north side of a ridge and found lift, then flew south toward the airport in an effort to stay closer to it, intending on finding lift before proceeding. While approaching the ridge he encountered sink, and elected to cross the ridge. He crossed the ridge at approximately 300 feet above ground level and he could see the airport, but was unable to reach it. He maneuvered the glider for a landing into trees along the ridge. There was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the glider. The pilot later stated he should have landed in fields in the valley. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N465CB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N465CB), registered now, S/N 4339, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-4 - 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: 4339 - Airframe hours: 925 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2009 - Departed: APT, Jasper, TN - Destination: APT, Jasper, TN - Airport: APT, Marion County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 27, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 576 total, 89 in this make and model, 428 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: CHA, 16 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 20100315029529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100315029529A), Mar 15, 2010: Rolladen-Sc LS-4, Jasper, TN, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Of N465CB, LS-4 glider took off from Marion county airport, TN on 3/15/2010. Glider was aloft for short time after release from tow… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75511. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 691 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 400 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversations (item 5, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF - Photo - Google Earth Plot Depicting Departure and Accident Site Locations. (item 6, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Google%20Earth%20Plot%20Depicting%20Departure%20and%20Accident%20Site%20Locations.-Master.PDF 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. --- 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.