# NTSB MIA08LA131: AMS Flight APIS-M, N1870R, Modena, NY, June 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 2008, 09:55 local (13:55 UTC) - Place: Modena, NY - Coordinates: 41.657501, -74.077224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6575&lon=-74.0772&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68342 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68342/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of wing spoilers on final approach and his misjudged distance/altitude resulting in the glider colliding with trees short of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: drag control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022760): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [AMS Flight APIS-M (MOTORGLIDER), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022760/cases.md?model=059009P), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022760/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [AMS Flight APIS-M (MOTORGLIDER), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=059009P), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [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: [AMS Flight APIS-M (MOTORGLIDER), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=059009P), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [AMS Flight APIS-M (MOTORGLIDER), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=059009P), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [AMS Flight APIS-M (MOTORGLIDER), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=059009P), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a witness, the glider was about 300 feet agl, on final approach to land, when the pilot deployed the wing spoilers. The glider descended below the tree line and then impacted trees and came to rest. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that there was no pre-crash aircraft structure or flight control anomalies found. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2008, at 0955 eastern daylight time, an APIS-M (Motor Glider), N1870R, crashed into wooded terrain during a turn on to final approach. The glider was substantially damaged, and the pilot was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The glider was registered to and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. A witness stated that this was the pilot's second flight in the glider. The witness stated that the glider was mechanically sound, and all flight controls worked correctly, prior to the flight. The day was clear and that the winds were calm. The pilot departed to the north and entered the downwind. The downwind entry, base turn, and final approach turn was normal. As the pilot was on short final, at approximately 300 feet above ground level (agl), he deployed the wing spoilers and began a left turn. The witness went on to say that when the glider descended below the tree line that was the last view he had of the glider. He said he tried to enter the wooded area where the glider went down but was unable to do so. Shortly thereafter, emergency responders arrived at the accident scene. The pilot, age 66, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land. His certificate was updated on April 28, 2003. He held an expired third-class medical certificate issued on October 23, 1991. The pilot's logbooks were not recovered for review. The single seat, low-wing, motor glider was manufactured in 2006. The maintenance logbooks were not recovered for review Examination of the crash site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the glider was located 2,000 feet short of runway 36. Further examination revealed that the gliders motor was stowed at the time of the accident, and no flight control anomalies were found. An autopsy was performed on the pilot on June 29, 2008 by the Dutchess County Medical Examiner, Poughkeepsie, New York. The cause of death was reported as "multiple injuries." Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens from the pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology report stated no ethanol was detected in the liver or muscle, and no drugs were detected in the liver. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1870R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1870R-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N A023KM (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMS Flight APIS-M - Registry model: [AMS Flight APIS-M (MOTORGLIDER)](https://openairdocs.org/model/ams-flight-apis-m-motorglider) (registry code 059009P) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: A023KM - Engines: unknown reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack Lurowist - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 2NK9, Modena, NY - Airport: 2NK9, Old Orchard Airpark, runway 36, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: single; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KPOU, 9 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 20080628839739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080628839739A), Jun 28, 2008: APISM, Modena, NY, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) While on final approach, pilot of N1870R attempted a 360 degree turn, apparently to lose altitude. The aircraft landed in trees, short of the runway… 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.