# NTSB FTW91LA119: Rolladen-Schneider LS-6, N6MN, Boerne, TX, June 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1991, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Boerne, TX
- Coordinates: 29.899927, -98.56002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8999&lon=-98.5600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA119

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RELEASE AT A HIGHER ALTITUDE PRIOR TO LOOKING FOR THERMAL ACTIVITY AND THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS WERE THE DOWNDRAFT AND THE TALL GRASS ENCOUNTERED DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, other
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT RELEASED AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND IMMEDIATELY COMMENCED A SEARCH FOR THERMAL ACTIVITY. UPON DETERMINING THAT NO THERMAL ACTIVITY WAS PRESENT, AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT WAS INITIATED. DUE TO A SINK CONDITION AND THE LOW ALTITUDE THE GLIDER WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE FIELD AND CONDUCTED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING.  TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED IN A RIGHT SKID AS A RESULT OF THE RIGHT WING CONTACTING FIVE FOOT TALL WEEDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6MN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6MN), registered now, S/N 6070, built 1986 (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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 6070
- Airframe hours: 199
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gene Sprague
- Registered owner: Gene Sprague
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 1991, 5 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Boerne, runway 5, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 1,260 total, 18 in this make and model, 1,170 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °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 19910622026499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910622026499A), Jun 22, 1991: Rolsch LS6, Boerne, TX, Substantial damage. Released tow low altitude. No thermals. Tried return airport. Unable. Landed off airport in skid due wing in weeds.

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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