# NTSB FTW98LA262: Rolladen-Schneider LS-6A, N511M, Green River, UT, June 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 1998, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Green River, UT - Coordinates: 38.980125, -110.649955 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9801&lon=-110.6500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20644 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20644/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA262 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. Factor's were the unforecasted weather (tail wind) and the inadvertent stall/spin. ## 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 - downdraft (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - attempted, pilot in command - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - continued, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis According to the co-owner of the glider, the pilot was given an auto-tow launch from the runway and he believed that the pilot released at approximately 700 feet agl. The co-owner observed the glider circling southwest of the runway, but was losing altitude. The pilot stated that he encountered 'heavy sink almost immediately after tow release.' The co-owner further observed the glider fly over the runway, but 'was too high too land straight ahead.' The pilot further reported that 'he turned left to return to the runway and the glider began to rotate left.' The pilot said that he 'got the right rudder in and the rotation stopped within 90 degrees.' The co-owner stated that 'an apparent wind gust from above or behind caused the glider to nose down.' The pilot stated that 'just as the rotation stopped, the left wing tip impacted the ground.' ## Factual narrative On June 11, 1998, at 1215 mountain daylight time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 glider, N511M, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain during landing at Green River Municipal Airport, Green River, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant onboard, was seriously injured. The glider was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which had originated approximately 3 minutes before the accident. No flight plan was filed. According to the co-owner of the glider, the pilot was given an auto-tow launch from runway 13 (5,600 feet X 60 feet, elevation 4225 feet) and he believed that the pilot released at approximately 700 feet agl. The co-owner observed the glider circling southwest of the runway, losing altitude. The pilot stated that he encountered "heavy sink almost immediately after tow release." The co-owner further observed the glider fly over runway 13, but "was too high to land straight ahead." The pilot further reported that "he turned left to return to the runway and the glider began to rotate left." The pilot told the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that he "got the right rudder in and the rotation stopped within 90 degrees." The co-owner stated that "an apparent wind gust from above or behind caused the glider to nose down." The pilot stated that "just as the rotation stopped, the left wing tip impacted the ground." The glider came to rest facing approximately 220 degrees. The left wing and the tail section were substantially damaged. The canopy, flight deck, and instrument panel were destroyed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N511M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N511M), registered now, S/N 6037 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rolladen-Schneider LS-6A - Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-6) (registry code 3801260) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 6037 - Airframe hours: 915 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter J. Lafford II - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1998, 55 hours before - Departed: U34 - Destination: PVC, PRICE, UT - Airport: U34, Green River, runway 13, 5,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; seat: front; flight hours: 910 total, 480 in this make and model, 860 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GJT, 100 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 19980611013239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980611013239A), Jun 11, 1998: Rolsch LS6, Green River, UT, Substantial damage. Released tow 600FT circled. No thermals. High sink. Left wing hit ground. Glider cartwheeled. (.4)according to the co-owner of the glider, the pilot was given… ## 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 BFO90DIG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90DIG01), Feb 19, 1990: Rolladen-Schneider LS-6 (N511M), Cabins, WV, substantial damage, 1 fatal. 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… 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.