# NTSB NYC86FA114: Glaser-Dirks DIRK-DG-400, N40MS, Julian, PA, April 28, 1986 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 28, 1986, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Julian, PA - Coordinates: 39.900627, -75.740768 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9006&lon=-75.7408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30184 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30184/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA114 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - visual lookout - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - not possible, pilot of other aircraft - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, maneuvering - visual lookout - not attained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PLT OF N686U REPORTED HE WAS ESTABLISHED IN WEAK THERMAL AT AN ALT OF APRX 2500 AGL WHEN TWO OTHER GLIDERS WERE SEEN. ONE AT APRX THE SAME ALT AND ONE BELOW HIS ALT. HE CONTINUED TO STATE THAT THE GLIDER WHICH WAS AT HIS ALT PASSED VERY CLOSE TO BUT UNDERNEATH HIS GLIDER. HE STATED HE MOMENTARILY LOST SIGHT OF THE GLIDER BEFORE SEEING IT TURN AND AND CONTINUE IN THE THERMAL, HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF HIS GLIDERS ATTITUDE HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE OTHER GLIDER. N686U WAS THEN STRUCK FROM THE RIGHT REAR BY N40MS. BOTH PLTS THEN LOST CONTROL OF THEIR GLIDERS WHICH DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PLT OF N686U REPORTED HE WAS ESTABLISHED IN A WEAK THERMAL AT AN ALT OF APRX 2500 AGL WHEN TWO OTHER GLIDERS WERE SEEN. ONE AT APRX THE SAME ALT AND ONE BELOW HIS ALT. HE CONTINUED TO STATE THAT THE GLIDER WHICH WAS AT HIS ALT PASSED VERY CLOSE TO BUT UNDERNEATH HIS GLIDER. HE STATED HE MOMENTARILY LOST SIGHT OF THE GLIDER BEFORE SEEING IT TURN AND AND CONTINUE IN THE THERMAL, HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF HIS GLIDERS ATTITUDE HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE OTHER GLIDER. N686U WAS THEN STRUCK FROM THE RIGHT REAR BY N40MS. BOTH PLTS THEN LOST CONTROL OF THEIR GLIDERS WHICH DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N40MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40MS-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 4-50 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Glaser-Dirks DIRK-DG-400 (DIRK-DG-40) - Registry model: [Glaser-Dirks DG-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/glaser-dirks-dg-400) (registry code 3802510) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 4-50 - Engines: ROTAX BOMBARDIER 43 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Malcolm Stevenson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: JULIAN, PA ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N686U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N686U), registered now, S/N 305 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS-1-26B - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26b) (registry code 8050118) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 305 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pat L. De Naples - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JULIAN, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N40MS; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,475 total, 373 in this make and model, 11,390 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N686U; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,250 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,025 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 14 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19860428070511A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860428070511A), Apr 28, 1986: Amtr DG400, Julian, PA, Destroyed. Pilot failed to avoid another glider inflight. Pilot was not wearing glasses when mid air with 686U occurred. - [Accident 19860428070512A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860428070512A), Apr 28, 1986: Scwzer SGS126B, Julian, PA, Destroyed. Aircraft was struck from behind and below by 40MS who was climbing. Inverted spin resulted with ground impact. 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.