# NTSB FTW94LA197: Glasflugel Standard Libelle, N3992, Wellington, CO, June 5, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1994, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Wellington, CO
- Coordinates: 40.700069, -105.00003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7001&lon=-105.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA197

## Probable cause

WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND.  A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - no thermal lift
  - weather condition - downdraft
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS TOWED ALOFT AND RELEASED AT 2,000 FEET AGL. THE PILOT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED 'STRONG SINK' AND DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE GLIDERPORT. HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AT LOW ALTITUDE AND WHEN HE TURNED ONTO THE BASE LEG, HE REALIZED HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES BETWEEN HIM AND THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN INTO THE WIND BUT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, AND THE GLIDER LANDED IN A FIELD 'WITH A STRONG RIGHT SIDE DRIFT.' WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL CONTACTED THE GROUND, THE 'SIDE MOTION' CAUSED THE TAIL BOOM TO SEPARATE.

## Factual narrative

On June 5, 1994, approximately 1330 mountain daylight time, a Glasflugel Standard Libelle, N3992, was substantially damaged during landing at Wellington, Colorado.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  The glider was towed aloft and released 2,000 feet above the ground.  The pilot said that although it was his intention to capture a thermal and climb to a higher altitude, he encountered "strong sink" instead and he decided to return to the gliderport.  He entered the traffic pattern at low altitude and when he turned onto the base leg, he realized he would be unable to clear obstacles between him and the runway.  The pilot said he attempted to turn into the wind but did not have sufficient altitude, and the glider landed in a field "with a strong right side drift."  When the tail wheel contacted the ground, the "side motion" caused the tail boom to separate.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3992](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3992), registered now, S/N 219, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASFLUGEL STANDARD LIBELLE (STANDARD L)
- Registry model: [Glasflugel STANDARD LIBELLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-standard-libelle) (registry code 3800341) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 219
- Airframe hours: 610
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roland, Ken/Hauenstein, Albert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1994, 0 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,510 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,510 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19940605015319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940605015319A), Jun 5, 1994: Glasfl LIBELLE, Wellington, CO, Substantial damage. Towed aloft. No thermals. Strong sink. Unable make runway. Landed crosswind in a field. Side motion failed tail.

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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