# NTSB FTW98LA326: Rolladen-Schneider LS 4A, N41MN, Salina, UT, July 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 1998, 17:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Salina, UT - Coordinates: 38.949623, -111.830619 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9496&lon=-111.8306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43256/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA326 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain to conduct a landing. Contributing was the loss of thermal lift and high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot intended to fly from Parowan, Utah, to Payson, Utah, and return (a distance of approximately 300 miles). He was towed to an altitude of 7,500 feet msl (1,500 feet agl), and climbed in thermals and reached an altitude of 17,000 feet. At a point south of Salina, lift conditions deteriorated and he encountered sink. He selected a field 6 miles south of Salina in which to land. After touching down, he noticed an obstacle in the path of the left wing. He attempted to pull up and away from the obstacle but in doing so, the right wing contacted foliage, causing the glider to ground loop to the right. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 1998, approximately 1755 mountain daylight time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS 4A, N41MN, was substantially damaged during landing roll in an open field near Salina, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant onboard, was uninjured. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Parowan, Utah, approximately 1420. According the pilot's accident report, it was his intention to fly from Parowan, Utah, to Payson, Utah, and return (a distance of approximately 300 miles). He was towed to an altitude of 7,500 feet msl (1,500 feet agl), and climbed in thermals and reached an altitude of 17,000 feet. He flew east to Panguitch, north to Pfeiler, Junction, and Richfield, then towards Salina. He said that when he reached a point south of Salina, lift conditions deteriorated and he encountered sink. He realized he would be unable to glide to the Salina-Gunnison Airport, so he selected a field 6 miles south in which to land. After touching down, he noticed an obstacle in the path of the left wing. He attempted to pull up and away from the obstacle but in doing so, the right wing contacted foliage, causing the glider to ground loop to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41MN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41MN-2026-09-24), registration cancelled 2026-09-24, S/N 4439, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rolladen-Schneider LS 4A - Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS 4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-4a) (registry code 3801251) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 4439 - Airframe hours: 528 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul A. Gaechter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1997, 53 hours before - Departed: 1L9, PAROWAN, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; seat: front; flight hours: 228 total, 148 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19980714030929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980714030929A), Jul 14, 1998: Salina, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 14, 1998, approximately 1755 MDT, a rolladen-schneider ls 4A (glider), N41MN, was substantially damaged during landing roll in an open field near… 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.