N439AS

Substantial
None

Schleicher ASW-19BS/N: 19231

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, March 18, 2006
NTSB Number
NYC06CA083
Location
Blairstown, NJ
Event ID
20060404X00389
Coordinates
40.978332, -74.960378
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

A loss of lift, which resulted in a forced landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
SCHLEICHER
Serial Number
19231
Engine Type
None
Model / ICAO
ASW-19B
Aircraft Type
Glider
No. of Engines
0
Seats
1
FAA Model
ASW-19

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
DEZZUTTI JOHN P
Address
20 SEAN MEADOW DR
City
LAKESIDE
State / Zip Code
CT 06758-1034
Country
United States

Analysis

After about 1.5 hours of ridgeline flying, and during the outbound leg from the departure airport, the glider approached a valley. According to the pilot, "the ridge lift in this area dissipated rapidly due to a shift in wind direction." Due to the loss in lift, the pilot circled over a field and set up a downwind, base, and final approach for a landing. While on the "short final" leg of the approach, the pilot noticed an obstacle, elected to climb over it, and to land as quickly as possible on the opposite side. During the rollout, the pilot attempted to maneuver the glider between two trees; however, both wingtips impacted the trees, and the glider was substantially damaged.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC06CA083