# NTSB GAA16CA342: Schleicher ASW 28, N280E, Cuddybackville, NY, June 17, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2016, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Cuddybackville, NY - Coordinates: 41.467224, -74.593887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4672&lon=-74.5939&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93487 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA342 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93487/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93487 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA342 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the glide path required for landing in the off-field landing zone. ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3801550), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801550), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3801550), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3801550), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3801550), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=3801550), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801550), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a soaring competition, he found himself in an area of sink and proceeded to an open field that he had pre-selected, in the event that an off-field landing was warranted. He reported that he had a choice of two open fields, selected the field with the northeast to southwest orientation, overflew the field and noted that trees marked the northeast and southwest boundaries. He reported that he made his approach from the northeast, overshot the intended landing zone and impacted the trees that marked the southwest boundary. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The landing zone was about 800 feet long, from the northeast to the southwest boundary, and the trees were about 50 feet high. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the glider prior to impact that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a soaring competition, he found himself in an area of sink and proceeded to an open field that he had pre-selected, in the event that an off-field landing was warranted. He reported that he had a choice of two open fields, selected the field with the northeast to southwest orientation, overflew the field and noted that trees marked the northeast and southwest boundaries. He reported that he made his approach from the northeast, overshot the intended landing zone and impacted the trees that marked the southwest boundary. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The landing zone was about 800 feet long, from the northeast to the southwest boundary, and the trees were about 50 feet high. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the glider prior to impact that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N280E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N280E), registered now, S/N 28033 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW 28 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-28) (registry code 3801550) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 28033 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 1267.5 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 4, 2015 - Departed: N82, Wurtsboro, NY - Destination: N82, Wurtsboro, NY - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 5, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 787 total, 530 in this make and model, 747 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KMGJ, 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 20160617009429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160617009429A), Jun 17, 2016: Schleicher ASW-28, Cuddebackville, NY, Substantial damage. On June 17, 2016, the glider departed wurtsboro airport to compete in a soar competition. According to the pilot, the aircraft lost some altitude on the north… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 13, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93487. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 959 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445314&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.