Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 N4MN
8 May 1994 · Elbert, Colorado, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 8 May 1994 at about 22:00 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 registered N4MN was involved in an accident near Elbert, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Elbert, Colorado, United States
- Nearest airport
- Kelly Air Park (CO15)
- Coordinates
- 39.2200, -104.5306
- Aircraft
- Rolladen-Schneider LS-4
- Registration
- N4MN
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW94LA151
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT ON THE PART OF BOTH PILOTS. A FACTOR WAS POOR AIRPORT OPERATIONS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
DURING SHORT FINAL FOR LANDING IN A GLIDER, THE PILOT SAW A TOW PLANE TURNING RIGHT JUST OFF HIS RIGHT SIDE AND TOOK EVASIVE ACTION TO THE LEFT TO AVOID WHAT HE INTERPRETED TO BE AN IMMINENT COLLISION. DURING THIS ACTION THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER IMPACTED ON THE LEFT WING AND NOSE. THE TOW PLANE MADE A NORMAL LANDING IN THE DESIGNATED TOW PLANE LANDING AREA. THE PILOT WAS UNAWARE THE GLIDER WAS BESIDE HIM. THE GLIDER RUNWAY AND TOW PLANE RUNWAY ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND ARE A RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY USED AS A RUNWAY, AS PUBLISHED IN THE AIRPORT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. THE TOW PLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A RADIO; THEREFORE, HE DID NOT HEAR THE GLIDER PILOT'S TRANSMITTED INTENTIONS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Apr 1988 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 | Chester, South Carolina, United States | John F. Good | No injuries | - |
| 7 Jul 1985 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 | Tatum, New Mexico, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 13 Jul 2003 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 | Ashburnham, Massachusetts, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Jun 1984 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 | Sugarbush, Vermont, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Apr 1983 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 | La Jolla, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 15 Mar 2010 | Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 | Jasper, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jan 1994 | Bellanca 8KCAB-180 | Colo. Springs, Colorado, United States | Aerotech Flight Services | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 Jan 1994 | Cessna 195 | Watkins, Colorado, United States | Hoghland, Vohs, and Murphy | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 1994 | Bell 206L-3 | Cascade, Colorado, United States | Puget Sound Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 1 Feb 1994 | Cessna 182P | Meeker, Colorado, United States | Steamboat Flight Academy, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 1 Mar 1994 | Cessna 177RG | Longmont, Colorado, United States | Debruzzi, Michael S. | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Mar 1994 | Rockwell 690C | Hayden, Colorado, United States | Casper Air Service | No injuries | - |