# NTSB IAD02LA009: Schleicher ASW-19, N19KH, Jersey Shore, PA, November 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 2001, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Jersey Shore, PA - Coordinates: 41.206943, -77.22583 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2069&lon=-77.2258&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 53711 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD02LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53711/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's in-flight encounter with weather, which led to a forced landing to unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - weather condition - downdraft (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - used, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was returning from a cross country glider flight when the glider encountered a downdraft. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude, and could not reach the nearest airport. The pilot elected to land on a "canopy" of trees beneath the glider. The glider collided with the tree tops, and fell to the ground. The pilot reported that an annual inspection of the glider was completed on the day of the accident, and that there were no mechanical deficiencies. The weather reported at an airport about 20 miles east of the accident site, included clear skies with the wind from 270 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 2001, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Schleicher ASW-19, N19KH, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees while maneuvering near Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Ridge Soaring Gliderport, Unionville, Pennsylvania, at 1300. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said: "Departed 79N on aerotow, released 1,800 msl, climbed in thermal and ridge lift to 4,400 [feet] before departing NE for cross country soaring flight [and] proceeded NE along Bald Eagle Ridge to 2 miles east of P96. Reversed course to attempt return. On return, while circling in thermal lift upwind of ridge, contacted downdraft in portion of circle headed toward ridge. Lost altitude, bringing glider down to treetop level at top of ridge. [Was] unable to maintain bank angle due to wing tip proximity to treetops. Leveled wings and 'landed' on tree canopy and descended through treetops still level on 20-30 [feet] descent to ground." The pilot stated that he did not get a weather briefing from Flight Service. He said that the normal routine for glider pilots is to gather weather information at the gliderport. This information is taken from several weather sources, and discussed in a group. In addition, the pilot stated that under normal circumstances he could have "easily" made it to the Jersey Shore Airport, but when he encountered the downdraft, he lost altitude, and did not have enough airspeed or altitude to overcome it. The pilot held a private pilot's certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and glider. He reported 208 hours of total flight experience, of which 101 hours were in gliders, and 51 hours were in make and model. The pilot reported that an annual inspection of the glider was completed on the day of the accident, and that there were no mechanical deficiencies. Examination of the glider, after the accident, revealed damage to both wings, tail, and canopy. At 1454, the weather reported at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles east of the accident site, included clear skies with the wind from 270 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19KH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19KH-2003-03-13), registration cancelled 2003-03-13, S/N 19125, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schleicher ASW-19 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-19) (registry code 3801508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 19125 - Airframe hours: 1631 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William D. Geiger - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 2001, 0 hours before - Departed: 79N, Unionville, PA - Airport: P96, Jersey Shore Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 1, 2000; seat: single; flight hours: 209 total, 51 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: IPT, 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 20011103031819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011103031819A), Nov 3, 2001: Schler ASW19, Cedarsprings, PA, No damage. (-23) On November 3, 2001, at 1430 local, a scheicher glider, N19KH, owned and operated by william geiger crashed into trees on bald eagle ridge near cedar… ## Other investigations on N19KH (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA96LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA147), Jul 5, 1996: Schleicher ASW-19 (N19KH), Salem, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point during an off-airport landing. Factors relating to the accident were: loss of thermal lift, high obstructions (transmission wires) near the edge… 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.