# NTSB NYC91LA228: Sportavia-Putzer RF5B, N55SM, Lockport, NY, September 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1991, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Lockport, NY
- Coordinates: 43.160984, -78.689338 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1610&lon=-78.6893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37005/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA228

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE GLIDER DURING LANDING.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED ON APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - distance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE POWERED GLIDER WAS MAKING A LANDING, WHEN THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  HE APPLIED RUDDER AND AILERON CORRECTION, BUT THE GLIDER DRIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK SOME TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55SM), registered now, S/N 51053, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Sportavia-Putzer RF5B
- Registry model: [Sportavia Putzer RF5B SPERBER](https://openairdocs.org/model/sportavia-putzer-rf5b-sperber) (registry code 8451016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Limbach 1700E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/limbach-1700e) (registry code 38602, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 51053
- Engines: LIMBACH SL100E 68 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald G. Hobel
- Registered owner: Cambria Flying Club Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 62NY, Lockport Cambria

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,250 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Other investigations on N55SM (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC76FGM42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FGM42), Aug 10, 1976: Sportavia RF-5B (N55SM), Penfield, PA, substantial damage

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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