# NTSB NYC86FNC04: Rolladen-Schneider LS-4A, N430RH, Rochester, VT, June 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1986, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, VT
- Location: 43.8704° N, 72.8036° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rochester, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8704&lon=-72.8036&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FNC04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FNC04

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A X-COUNTRY SOARING RACE. APROX 15 MILES FROM DESTINATION AND FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT WAS CERTIFICATED AND QUALIFIED FOR THE FLIGHT. ANOTHER GLIDER PLT SAW THE ACC ACFT AS IT CIRCLED TO GAIN ALT TO CLEAR A RIDGE FOR LANDING. VISUAL CONTACT WAS LOST AND A SHORT TIME LATER A WINGTIP WAS SEEN IN AN OPEN FIELD. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE CRASH. ON SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE WING HAD SEPARATED DURING IMPACT AND THE FUSELAGE WAS DAMAGED ON THE RT SIDE OF THE COCKPIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N430RH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-4A
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4384
- Airframe hours: 309
- Engines: unknown UNK unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald L. Hatcher
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1986, 39 hours before
- Departed: 0B7, WARREN, VT
- Destination: OB7, WARREN, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 316 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MPV, 20 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 19860622026739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860622026739A), Jun 22, 1986: Rolsch LS4, Rochester, VT, Substantial damage. The wing of the glider struck the ground during an open field landing. Suspect the pilot was maneuvering to land.

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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