Schleicher ASK-21 N21VT

Summary

On 16 June 2004 at about 21:20 local time, a Schleicher ASK-21 registered N21VT was involved in an accident near Warren, Vermont, 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 2004 at 21:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Warren, Vermont, United States

Coordinates

44.1167, -72.8269

Aircraft

Schleicher ASK-21

Registration

N21VT

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Warren → Warren

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC04LA141

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper pre-flight and in-flight planning, which resulted in a forced landing after experiencing a loss of thermal lift. A factor was the loss of thermal lift.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After flying for approximately 2 hours, as the pilots were returning to the airport, the wind "went southwest at 5 knots," decreasing the available lift. Approximately 4 miles from the airport, it became apparent that they were too low to make it to the airport, and they chose a field to land in. While on approach to the field, "persistent sink" made attaining the field "marginal," and it became necessary to increase the pitch of the glider to clear a 15-foot tall tree. As a result, the glider stalled and "mushed" to the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.