Rolladen-Schneider LS-4A N245JD

Summary

On 7 August 1994 at about 18:00 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-4A registered N245JD was involved in an accident near Cannan, New Hampshire, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 August 1994 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Cannan, New Hampshire, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Rolladen-Schneider LS-4A

Registration

N245JD

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Franconia → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC94LA155

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE A LOSS OF LIFT AND THE PILOT'S IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO MANEUVER TOO CLOSE TO THE RIDGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE GLIDER PILOT HAD JUST RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE. HE STARTED A LEFT CIRCLING CLIMB IN A THERMAL. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER CIRCLING ONCE, THE LIFT CHANGED SUDDENLY. THE GLIDER SANK ABRUPTLY. THE PILOT, IN HIS ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE RIDGE INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PILOT STATED THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD HE NOT ESTABLISHED THE THERMAL CIRCLE SO CLOSE TO THE RIDGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.