Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 N130MD

Summary

On 13 July 2003 at about 20:00 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 registered N130MD was involved in an accident near Ashburnham, Massachusetts, 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

13 July 2003 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Ashburnham, Massachusetts, United States

Coordinates

42.6353, -71.9081

Aircraft

Rolladen-Schneider LS-4

Registration

N130MD

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sterling → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03CA157

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper in-flight decision to over fly a suitable landing area. Factors in this accident were weak thermal lift activity, and lack of suitable terrain at the time of the landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a glider flight, the pilot was over an airport about 30 miles from his intended destination airport, at an altitude of about 1,160 feet above the ground. The pilot overheard radio communications between other glider pilots in the area who indicated that conditions were "tougher" than they expected. The pilot elected to attempt to reach his destination airport; however, he was not able to locate adequate thermal activity to maintain altitude. The pilot attempted to divert to another airport; however, the glider continued to descend and he attempted a landing to a gravel pit. While on approach, the glider impacted trees and struck the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.