Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A N113RM

Summary

On 5 July 2001 at about 20:23 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A registered N113RM was involved in an accident near Front Royal, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 July 2001 at 20:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Front Royal, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Front Royal-Warren County (FRR)

Coordinates

38.9506, -78.2836

Aircraft

Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A

Registration

N113RM

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Front Royal → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD01LA076

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's inadequate altitude/clearance from a tree along his final approach path.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the glider flight, the pilot determined that he lacked sufficient lift to return to his home airport, and he selected an off-airport landing site. The pilot stated he was aware of the trees and wires along his planned approach path, and determined that they would not be a factor. The pilot said that as he maneuvered towards his landing site, he abbreviated and steepened his approach in an effort to touchdown in the first one-third of the field. Just prior to touchdown, the left wing struck a tree, and the glider impacted terrain. According to the pilot, "I set up for an abbreviated approach when I really didn't need to. I rushed the approach and I was high on my base and turn to final. I knew the trees were there, but I really didn't see them as a factor. If I were 2 feet to the right and 3 feet higher, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I just didn't see the obstacle."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.