Summary
On July 24, 1995, a Glasflugel STANDARD LIBELLE (N2972) was involved in an incident near Red River, NM. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S LACK OF COMPENSATION FOR THE TAILWIND AND HIS ENSUING FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF THERMAL LIFT AND THE TAILWIND.
On July 24, 1995, at 1420 mountain daylight time, a Glasflugel Standard Libelle glider, N2972, was substantially damaged during landing near Red River, New Mexico. The private pilot/operator was not injured. The glider departed Taos, New Mexico, at 1215 for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The following information was reported by the pilot in the attached Pilot/Operator Report. The glider was "over canyon near Red River" when an "atmospheric condition of sink" was encountered.
This incident is documented in NTSB report FTW95LA326. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2972.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S LACK OF COMPENSATION FOR THE TAILWIND AND HIS ENSUING FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF THERMAL LIFT AND THE TAILWIND.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 24, 1995, at 1420 mountain daylight time, a Glasflugel Standard Libelle glider, N2972, was substantially damaged during landing near Red River, New Mexico. The private pilot/operator was not injured. The glider departed Taos, New Mexico, at 1215 for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The following information was reported by the pilot in the attached Pilot/Operator Report. The glider was "over canyon near Red River" when an "atmospheric condition of sink" was encountered. The pilot "explored for," but was unable to locate, any "lift/thermal activity." A "decision to plan for land out in difficult terrain was made" and the pilot selected the "single" available landing site, a "horse meadow" with a "usable" landing length of "less than 1/4 mile."
"Canyon narrowness" required a "steep 180 degree turn to final with 5 to 8 knots extra approach speed." "Float carried the glider to mid-point of meadow" and a "ground loop to left" was "initiated on touchdown to stop." After exiting the glider, the pilot noticed a "breeze 5+ knots up valley" which had resulted in a "tailwind component" during the landing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the glider and reported the empennage was partially severed.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW95LA326