Schleicher ASK21 N341KS

Summary

On 16 June 2002 at about 19:45 local time, a Schleicher ASK21 registered N341KS, operated by Frederic Winter, was involved in an accident near Woodstock, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

16 June 2002 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Woodstock, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

38.8833, -78.5028

Aircraft

Schleicher ASK21

Registration

N341KS

Category

Glider

Operator

Frederic Winter

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

IAD02LA059

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to recognize the loss of orographic lift conditions. A factor was the loss of orographic lift.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After being released from the tow plane, the pilot flew the glider for about 10 miles along a ridge. According to the pilot, he failed to recognize that the wind speed necessary to generate sufficient orographic lift had diminished, and also failed to execute a turn toward the valley while he had sufficient altitude to clear the terrain. As he executed a turn "into very weak ridge lift," the glider stalled, and mushed into trees. The pilot reported that his evaluation of the weather conditions prior to his departure predicted "good orographic lift" in the area. He also reported no mechanical deficiencies with the glider.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.