# NTSB NYC04LA141: Schleicher ASK-21, N21VT, Warren, VT, June 16, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 2004, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Warren, VT - Coordinates: 44.116664, -72.826942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1167&lon=-72.8269&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59456 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59456/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA141 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper pre-flight and in-flight planning, which resulted in a forced landing after experiencing a loss of thermal lift. A factor 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, approach - weather condition - thermal lift (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis After flying for approximately 2 hours, as the pilots were returning to the airport, the wind "went southwest at 5 knots," decreasing the available lift. Approximately 4 miles from the airport, it became apparent that they were too low to make it to the airport, and they chose a field to land in. While on approach to the field, "persistent sink" made attaining the field "marginal," and it became necessary to increase the pitch of the glider to clear a 15-foot tall tree. As a result, the glider stalled and "mushed" to the ground. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2004, at 1720 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher ASK-21, N21VT, was substantially damaged during an off airport landing in Warren, Vermont. The two certificated private pilots received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot-in-command, the purpose of the flight was to practice cross-country gliding techniques. The pilots departed from the Warren-Sugarbush Airport (0B7), Warren, Vermont, flew about 40 miles to the north, then 20 miles to the southeast, and finally 25 miles to the southwest to return to the airport. The lift was both thermal and ridge lift, with the glider experiencing an average maximum height of 2,800 feet above the ground. After flying for approximately 2 hours, as the pilots were returning to the airport, the wind "went southwest at 5 knots," decreasing the available lift. Approximately 4 miles from the airport, it became apparent that they were too low to make it to the airport, and they chose a field to land in. While on approach to the field, "persistent sink" made attaining the field "marginal," and it became necessary to increase the pitch of the glider to clear a 15-foot tall tree. As a result, the glider stalled and "mushed" to the ground. The winds reported at the Edward F Knapp State Airport (MPV), Montpelier, Vermont, at 1651, were from 330 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N21VT (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Schleicher ASK-21 - Category: Glider - Serial number: 21266 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sugarbush Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2004, 5 hours before - Departed: 0B7, Warren, VT - Destination: 0B7, Warren, VT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 3, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,202 total, 12 in this make and model, 5,140 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; last flight review June 1, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 550 total, 6 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: MPV, 12 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 20040616019299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040616019299A), Jun 16, 2004: Schler ASK21, Warren, VT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot in command practicing cross country glider techniques took off from Warren-Sugarbush airport. Flew 40 miles to north, then 20 miles to the… 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.