# NTSB GAA16CA156: Rolladen-Schneider LS8, N16BP, Pine Grove, PA, March 21, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 21, 2016, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Pine Grove, PA - Coordinates: 40.355278, -76.26139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3553&lon=-76.2614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Other: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92876/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92876 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA156 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain the glider's descent rate and glide path after encountering a downdraft, resulting in a collision with trees during an off airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3801267), [All aircraft, 810 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=3801267), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801267), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=3801267), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3801267), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801267), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Other: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3801267), [All aircraft, 1,557 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the glider, while performing a cross country flight along a mountain ridge, the pilot could no longer maintain altitude as a result of unfavorable wind conditions. The pilot reported that he elected to execute an off airport landing. He recounted that he selected a suitable landing area, and executed a normal traffic pattern. However, he reported that he encountered a strong downdraft and the glider impacted trees that bordered the selected landing area. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the glider prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the glider, while performing a cross country flight along a mountain ridge, the pilot could no longer maintain altitude as a result of unfavorable wind conditions. The pilot reported that he elected to execute an off airport landing. He recounted that he selected a suitable landing area, and executed a normal traffic pattern. However, he reported that he encountered a strong downdraft and the glider impacted trees that bordered the selected landing area. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the glider prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16BP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16BP-2016-10-27), registration cancelled 2016-10-27, S/N 8334, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS8 (18) - Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls8-18) (registry code 3801267) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 8334 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 1048.5 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Carlyle, John M. - Registered owner: Carlyle, John M. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 9, 2015 - Departed: 1N7, BLAIRSTOWN, NJ - Destination: 1N7, BLAIRSTOWN, NJ - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review October 7, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 917 total, 468 in this make and model, 806 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 14 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KMUI, 15 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 20160321002079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160321002079A), Mar 21, 2016: Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, Pine Grove, PA, Substantial damage. The PIC was ridge/slope soaring on a crosscountry flight. Wind was 15 to 20 knots prevailing from the west/northwest. The PIC was flying upwind of the ridge… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92876. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.