# NTSB SEA04LA079: SZD Jantar 42-1, N272AS, Wamic, OR, May 2, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 2004, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Wamic, OR - Coordinates: 45.181945, -121.216667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1819&lon=-121.2167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Portland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59153 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59153/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA079 ## Probable cause The glider pilot's inadequate en route planning, which resulted in a forced landing in an area without suitable landing terrain. Factors include no suitable landing terrain in the area where the pilot found it necessary to execute a forced landing, and trees at the location where the aircraft came in contact with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Forced landing, descent - emergency - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was beginning to work his way north toward his destination landing site, when he encountered an area where there was not sufficient lift to keep the glider at an altitude that would allow him to continue along his intended route. As the glider descended, the pilot headed toward an area where he knew there was a small airstrip that he would be able to land on. Once the aircraft descended to a height of about 300 feet above the ground, the pilot realized that he could not safely continue en route, so he made the decision that he should commit to the best nearby landing area he could find. Since he was at that time over terrain that was almost completely covered by trees, he selected an area of young/small trees, and flew the glider onto them at a very slow airspeed in an attempt to execute a controlled crash landing. After impacting the trees, the glider slid to the ground, and the pilot exited in a normal manner. ## Factual narrative On Sunday, May 2, 2004, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, a SZD Jantar 42-1 glider, N272AS, collided with young trees during a forced landing about six miles southeast of Wamic, Oregon. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Hood River, Oregon, about three hours earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was beginning to work his way north toward Hood River for landing, when he encountered an area where there was not sufficient lift to keep the glider at an altitude that would allow him to continue along his intended route. As the glider descended, the pilot headed toward an area where he knew there was a small airstrip that he would be able to land on. Once the aircraft descended to a height of about 300 feet above the ground, the pilot realized that he could not safely continue en route, so he made the decision that he should commit to the best nearby landing area he could find. Since he was at that time over terrain that was almost completely covered by trees, he selected an area of young/small trees, and flew the glider onto them at a very slow airspeed in an attempt to execute a controlled crash landing. After impacting the trees, the glider slid to the ground, and the pilot exited in a normal manner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N272AS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N272AS), registered now, S/N B-780, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SZD Jantar 42-1 - Registry model: [Szybowcowy Zaklad Doswiadczaln JANTAR-2A-SZD 42-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/szybowcowy-zaklad-doswiadczaln-jantar-2a-szd-42-1) (registry code 8821640) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: B780 - Airframe hours: 898 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary D. Boggs - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 2003, 7.7 hours before - Departed: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Destination: 4S2 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; last flight review April 26, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 1,480 total, 520 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20040502015559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040502015559A), May 2, 2004: Amtr SZD421, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Glider flight originated from Hood River airport at approximately 1130 local. On return flight to Hood River, descending from cloud base of 800 ft.,… ## Other investigations on N272AS (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 SEA00LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA077), Apr 22, 2000: PZL-Bielsko Jantar 2A (N272AS), Hood River, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the glider after its wing came in contact with long grass growing on the runway surface. Factors include the pilot's improper decision to… 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.