Summary
On March 24, 2011, a Rolladen-schneider Gmbh LS-3 (N1359) was involved in an accident near Winchester, TN. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The glider pilot's delayed response to changing weather conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing into trees.
According to the glider pilot, he was participating in a 500-kilometer event when he failed to notice that the cloud streets he was flying beneath deteriorated to a 100 percent overcast, and the sun was no longer heating the ground and creating the thermal lifting he required. He further stated that the glider was too far from a mountain to benefit from mechanical lift, and he was forced to perform a forced landing into unsuitable terrain. In an effort to cushion the landing, the pilot landed into pine trees which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. He reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the glider.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA206. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1359.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The glider pilot's delayed response to changing weather conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing into trees.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the glider pilot, he was participating in a 500-kilometer event when he failed to notice that the cloud streets he was flying beneath deteriorated to a 100 percent overcast, and the sun was no longer heating the ground and creating the thermal lifting he required. He further stated that the glider was too far from a mountain to benefit from mechanical lift, and he was forced to perform a forced landing into unsuitable terrain. In an effort to cushion the landing, the pilot landed into pine trees which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. He reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the glider.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA206