# NTSB NYC90LA144: Rolladen-Schneider LS-3, N41MP, South Mountain, PA, July 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1990, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: South Mountain, PA
- Coordinates: 39.859745, -77.510665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8597&lon=-77.5107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA144

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT RAN OUT OF LIFT AND ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. HE WAS TOO HIGH AND FLEW BEYOND THE FIELD TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LAND DOWNWIND. DURING THE TURN, THE GLIDER STALLED AND STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N41MP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-3
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3029
- Airframe hours: 727
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chares F. Dewald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1990, 28 hours before
- Departed: W73, FAIRFIELD, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; flight hours: 611 total, 150 in this make and model, 611 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19900703023309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900703023309A), Jul 3, 1990: Rolsch LS3, South Mountain, PA, Substantial damage. Not high enough to soar to next thermal on crosscountry. Had to land off airport. Stalled 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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