# NTSB SEA06CA143: Rolladen-Schneider LS3A, N43MM, Enumclaw, WA, July 9, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 9, 2006, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.243331, -121.92472
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2433&lon=-121.9247&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA143

## Probable cause

The glider pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in the aircraft impacting the dirt embankment on the side of the emergency run-out area. Factors include the pilot's improper decision not to deploy more airbrakes when he realized that he was crossing the threshold at too high of an altitude, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point during the landing flare.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

As the glider pilot crossed the runway threshold for landing, he realized that he was too high, and instead of further extending the airbrakes, which at the time were between one-third and one-half deployed, he lowered the nose of the aircraft in order to descend. This action increased the airspeed by about seven knots, and resulted in the aircraft landing about half way down the 2,100 foot runway. During his attempt to stop the aircraft on the remaining runway, the pilot inadvertently let the aircraft depart the left side of the runway, and as he attempted to get the aircraft back onto the runway surface prior to reaching the emergency run-out area, the aircraft came in contact with the side-slope of the built-up run-out area terrain.

## Factual narrative

As the glider pilot crossed the runway threshold for landing, he realized that he was too high, and instead of further extending the airbrakes, which at the time were between one-third and one-half deployed, he lowered the nose of the aircraft in order to descend. This action increased the airspeed by about seven knots, and resulted in the aircraft landing about half way down the 2,100 foot runway. During his attempt to stop the aircraft on the remaining runway, the pilot inadvertently let the aircraft depart the left side of the runway, and as he attempted to get the aircraft back onto the runway surface prior to reaching the emergency run-out area, the aircraft came in contact with the side-slope of the built-up run-out area terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43MM-2009-06-05), registration cancelled 2009-06-05, S/N 3378, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rolladen-Schneider LS3A
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider OHG LS3-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ohg-ls3-a) (registry code 3801214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3378
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Glenn Chouinard
- Registered owner: Soaring Dogs LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: WN76, Enumclaw, WA
- Destination: WN76, Enumclaw, WA
- Airport: WN76, Bergseth Field, runway 10, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; flight hours: 68 total, 16 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20060709024219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060709024219A), Jul 9, 2006: Rolsch LS3A, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) High on approach. Pilot lowered the nose and did not further extend airbrakes, increasing airspeed and float distance down the runway. Landed halfway…

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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