N421SL – SCHLEICHER ASK 21 – 2014-09-20 NTSB Accident Report

On September 20, 2014, a Schleicher ASK 21 (N421SL) was involved in an accident near Wurtsboro, NY. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A loss of lift during the landing approach, which resulted in impact with terrain.

During his first flight of the day, the pilot of the glider experienced windy conditions and sinking air in the vicinity of the airport. He subsequently departed on a solo flight, flew for about 15 minutes, and then entered the airport traffic pattern for landing. To compensate for wind, he conducted the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at a higher speed, and entered the base leg early. On final approach for landing, the glider experienced a loss of lift and "rapid" loss of altitude, and landed short of the runway in an uneven area of vegetation, resulting in substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA14CA453. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N421SL.