Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2CT N93FR

Summary

On 8 August 2006 at about 22:45 local time, a Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2CT registered N93FR was involved in an accident near Julian, Pennsylvania, 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

8 August 2006 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Julian, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.8658, -77.9403

Aircraft

Schempp-Hirth DISCUS-2CT

Registration

N93FR

Category

Glider

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Julian → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

NYC06CA198

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's delayed decision to restart the glider's engine. A factor in the accident was a loss of thermal lift.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he had performed a cross country glider flight and was returning to his home airport, around dusk, when the glider "got a bit low." The pilot attempted to start the glider's engine, at approximately 1,200 feet AGL, but was unsuccessful, because he could not maintain the required excessive nose down attitude for engine start. The pilot then initiated a 180 degree turn to perform a forced landing to a field. During the turn, the glider encountered "very strong sink," and impacted the edge of a residence. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the glider. He also stated that he should have "abandoned glider flight" and started the engine when he was in the vicinity of an airport.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.