# NTSB NYC84LA259: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4, N13HH, Sugarbush, VT, June 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1984, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Sugarbush, VT
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA259

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST LIFT & MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING THE ACFTS WING STRUCK A HAYSTACK WHICH PITCHED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT DOWN. THIS RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING & GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13HH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13HH), registered now, S/N 4204, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-4
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-4) (registry code 3801250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4202
- Airframe hours: 268
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harvey L. Howell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 0B7, SUGARBUSH, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 641 total, 160 in this make and model, 605 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840620040309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840620040309A), Jun 20, 1984: Rolsch LS4, Sugarbush, VT, Substantial damage. Loss of lift during crosscountry flight. Landed in field. Wing struck hay pile, groundlooped, tail skid hit ground.

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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