# NTSB SEA93LA095: Rolladen-Schneider LS4A, N7DZ, Wenatchee, WA, April 10, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1993, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.370342, -120.349983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3703&lon=-120.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA095

## Probable cause

MISJUDGED WEATHER EVALUATION.  FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH WINDS ENCOUNTERED ON APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - uphill

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT STATED THAT HE CONTINUED HIS FLIGHT WHEN OTHER PILOTS REPORTED A LARGE AREA OF CUMULUS DEVELOPMENT WITH VIRGA AND RAIN MOVING TOWARD THE AIRPORT.  HE ELECTED TO EXTEND HIS FLIGHT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN ON HIS RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, WINDS AND RAIN INCREASED IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT.  ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM LANDING, HE DECIDED THAT HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAKE THE FIELD, AND LANDED IN A SMALL FIELD SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ON AN UPSLOPE AND A LARGE ROCK BROKE THROUGH THE FUSELAGE, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7DZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7DZ-2024-04-12), registration cancelled 2024-04-12, S/N 4337, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS4A
- Registry model: [Rolladen-Schneider LS-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ls-4) (registry code 3801250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 4337
- Airframe hours: 848
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Northcraft, Stephen A.
- Registered owner: Northcraft, Stephen A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1993, 10 hours before
- Departed: EAT
- Destination: EAT
- Airport: EAT, Pangborn Field, runway 29, 5,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 635 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19930410014089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930410014089A), Apr 10, 1993: Rolsch LS4, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Stayed in thermal area too long. Surface headwinds picked up. Unable to make runway. Struck large rock in a field.

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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