# NTSB NYC00LA042: Schempp-Hirth Discus A, N117TB, Palmerton, PA, November 28, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1999, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Palmerton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.800876, -75.609199 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8009&lon=-75.6092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA042

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to delay his landing.  A factor related to the accident was the loss of thermal lift.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Forced landing, cruise
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

While ridge soaring, the pilot elected to delay his landing back to the airport.  The sun became low on the horizon, and the glider began to loose lift.  The pilot attempted to fly the glider close to a ridgeline in an attempt to gain lift, but could not locate the ridgeline due to a glare through the windscreen.  The glider began to descend and the pilot performed a forced landing to a parking lot.  The sun set below the horizon at 1637.

## Factual narrative

On November 28, 1999, about 1640 Eastern Standard Time, a Schempp-Hirth Discus A glider, N117TB, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Palmerton, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private glider pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot departed the Beltzville Airport, Beltzville, Pennsylvania, under tow, for a local flight.  While ridge soaring, the pilot elected to delay his landing back to the airport.  The sun became low on the horizon, and the glider began to loose lift.  The pilot attempted to fly the glider close to a ridgeline in an attempt to gain lift, but could not locate the ridgeline due to a glare through the windscreen.  The glider began to descend and the pilot performed a forced landing to a parking lot.  Approaching the parking lot, the left wing struck a tree, spinning the glider to the left.  The glider then nosed into the ground, coming to rest upright.

The sun set below the horizon at 1637.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117TB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N117TB), registered now, S/N 17 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schempp-Hirth DISCUS A
- Registry model: [Schempp-Hirth DISCUS A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-discus-a) (registry code 38019VP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 17
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas G. Beltz
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1999
- Departed: 14N, BELTZVILLE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 2,735 total, 1,115 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 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 19991128032059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991128032059A), Nov 28, 1999: Schemp DISCUSA, Palmerton, PA, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 28, 1999, about 1640 eastern standard time, a schempp-hirth discus a glider, N117TB, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near…

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.

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