N751MS

Substantial
Minor

Allstar PZL SZD 51-1 JuniorS/N: 511.A.03.004

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
NTSB Number
DFW06CA139
Location
Cherry Valley, AR
Event ID
20060608X00716
Coordinates
35.369167, -90.750274
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while on final to approach to landing. A contributing factor was the loss of thermal lift on final approach.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N751MS
Make
ALLSTAR PZL
Serial Number
511.A.03.004
Year Built
2003
Model / ICAO
SZD 51-1 Junior

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
FRIENDS AVIATION INC
Address
3511 SILVERSIDE RD STE 105
Status
Deregistered
City
WILMINGTON
State / Zip Code
DE 19810-4902
Country
United States

Analysis

After a glider flight of approximately one hour, the 4,674-hour commercial pilot was on final approach to land to the 3,638-foot long by 300-foot wide grass/turf runway. While on short final, the single-seat composite glider encountered "severe sink" and the left wingtip impacted a tree. The glider "cartwheeled" and came to rest in the upright position on the approach end of the runway 25. The pilot was extricated by rescue personal, who later reported his injuries as minor. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the airplane's flight controls. The pilot reported having accumulated 10 hours in the same make and model, with a total of 31.6 hours in gliders. The reported wind at the nearest airport with a weather reporting station, located about 35 nautical miles north of the accident site, were reported from 220 degrees at 5 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The pilot recommended that glider pilots use an "aim point" at least 800 feet further down the runway when landing in the future.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW06CA139