# NTSB GAA18CA377: Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, N963CG, Panguitch, UT, June 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 24, 2018, 15:32 local (21:32 UTC) - Place: Panguitch, UT - Coordinates: 37.845275, -112.392219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8453&lon=-112.3922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97596 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA377 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97596/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97596 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA377 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inability to maintain altitude and his delayed decision to deploy the powered-glider’s engine, which necessitated an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=056321V), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056321V), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=056321V), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=056321V), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056321V), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056321V), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=056321V), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056321V), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The powered-glider pilot reported that, during the return flight to the airport after an informal glider competition, about 10,000 to 11,000 ft over mountainous terrain, he was unable to find lift, the glider descended to 9,000 ft, and he started the sustainer engine. He added that, after the glider climbed back to the initial altitude, he shut the sustainer engine off, stowed it, and continued to the destination airport. He reported that, about 4 miles from the airport, the glider began to sink about 1,000 ft per minute. He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful in the limited time available. He chose a field for an off-airport landing, the glider touched down, but the ground was slightly uneven, which resulted in the right wing dragging. The glider veered 20° to the right before coming to rest. The glider sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at an elevation of 7,950 ft, located about 14 miles east-southeast of the accident location, reported wind from 270° at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots; temperature 79°F; and dew point 9F. The calculated density altitude was 10,300 ft. ## Factual narrative The powered-glider pilot reported that, during the return flight to the airport, after an informal glider competition, about 10,000 to 11,000 ft over mountainous terrain, he was unable to find lift, the glider descended to 9,000 ft, and he started the sustainer engine. He added that, after the glider climbed back to the initial altitude, he shut the sustainer engine off, stowed it, and continued to the destination airport. He reported that, about 4 miles from the airport, the glider began a sink rate of about 1,000 ft per minute. He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful in the limited time. He selected a field for an off airport landing, the glider touched down, but the ground was slightly uneven, which resulted in the right wing dragging. The glider veered 20° to the right before coming to rest. The glider sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, elevation 7,950 ft, located about 14 miles east-southeast of the accident location, reported the wind was 270° at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots, temperature 79° F, and dew point 9° F. The calculated density altitude was 10,300 ft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N963CG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N963CG), registered now, S/N 1C-074, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JONKER SAILPLANES (PTY) LTD JS1-C (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Jonker Sailplanes JS1-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/jonker-sailplanes-js1-c) (registry code 056321V) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 1C-074 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 388.6 - Engines: M&D Flugzeugbav TJ-42 78 horsepower turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2018 - Departed: 1L9, Parowan, UT - Destination: 1L9, Parowan, UT - Airport: U55, Panguitch Muni - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review March 17, 2017; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,276 total, 387 in this make and model, 1,242 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KBCE, 14 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 20180624015709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180624015709A), Jun 24, 2018: Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd JS1-C, Parowan, UT, Substantial damage. On 6/24/2018 at 1630 MDT, N963CG sailplane crash landed in a hayfield near parowin, UT (1L9). Pilot reported a loss of lift and thermal activity while… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97596. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467055&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467056&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.