# NTSB NYC91LA152: Glasflugel Libelle 201B, N8041D, Saratoga, NY, June 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1991, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Saratoga, NY
- Coordinates: 43.060047, -73.770675 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0600&lon=-73.7707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA152

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY FLARE WHEN MAKING AN UPHILL LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT CONTINUED ATTEMPTS AT FINDING LIFT WHICH REDUCED HIS LANDING OPTIONS WHEN HE DECIDED TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER FLYING FOR OVER 2 HOURS THE PILOT PLANNED ON AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. HE THEN SAW A CLOUD AND TRIED FOR ADDITIONAL LIFT.  HE ACHIEVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF LIFT, HOWEVER HE WAS CARRIED AWAY FROM HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA AND WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AREA.  HE PLANNED FOR ANOTHER FIELD HOWEVER HE REALIZED IT WAS SLOPING THE WRONG WAY AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS TOO LOW TO CHANGE.  HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH AND LANDED.  THE FAA SAID THE PILOT LANDED ON AN UP HILL SLOPE AND THE FLARE THE PILOT ACCOMPLISHED WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE UPHILL SLOPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8041D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8041D), registered now, S/N 440 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASFLUGEL LIBELLE 201B (LIBELLE 20)
- Registry model: [Glasflugel STANDARD LIBELLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-standard-libelle) (registry code 3800341) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 440
- Airframe hours: 1435
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Philip Spaziani
- Registered owner: William D. Davis
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1991, 17 hours before
- Departed: 5B2, SARATOGA, NY
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; flight hours: 173 total, 48 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken

## 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 19910608020589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910608020589A), Jun 8, 1991: Glasfl LIBELLE, Saratoga, NY, Substantial damage. Ran out of lift. Selected uphill downwind slope only open area. Failed to flare for upslope. Collided with slope.

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.