# NTSB GAA18CA392: Schempp Hirth Discus CS, N1122Q, Pomfret, VT, July 3, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2018, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Pomfret, VT - Coordinates: 44.046859, -72.711669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0469&lon=-72.7117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: 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): 97686 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA392 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97686/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97686 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA392 ## Probable cause The glider pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in a collision with a ditch during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [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-cruise: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the glider pilot, during a glider competition, he passed a "weak frontal system," and lift could not be sustained. He selected a large field for landing, established a traffic pattern, and accomplished a full-stall landing. However, during the landing roll on down-sloping terrain about 40 knots, the glider collided with a ditch. The glider sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the glider pilot, during a glider competition he passed a "weak frontal system" and lift could not be sustained. He determined that he had about 15 minutes of flight before the glider was going to land. He selected a large field and established a traffic pattern and accomplished a full stall landing. However, during the landing roll on down sloping terrain about 40 knots, the glider collided with a ditch. The glider sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1122Q (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Schempp Hirth DISCUS CS (No Series) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 307CS - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 576 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Operator: Throttle Up Inc - Registered owner: Throttle Up Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2018 - Departed: VSF, Springfield, VT - Destination: VSF, Springfield, VT - Equipment: Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2017; seat: single; flight hours: 3,457 total, 347 in this make and model, 3,285 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KLEB, 10 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 20180703017089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180703017089A), Jul 3, 2018: Schempp-Hirth DISCUS CS, Pomfret, VT, Substantial damage. Off airport landing due to loss of lift. On landing roll out glider struck drainange ditch in the middle of the field and ground looped. Tail struck side of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97686. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469262&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469263&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.