Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 N818FM
23 April 2009 · Fairfield, Pennsylvania, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 23 April 2009 at about 13:58 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 registered N818FM, operated by Mueller Frederick Karl, was involved in an accident near Fairfield, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:58
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Fairfield, Pennsylvania, United States
- Nearest airport
- Mid Atlantic Soaring Center (W73)
- Coordinates
- 39.7542, -77.3506
- Aircraft
- Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18
- Registration
- N818FM
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Mueller Frederick Karl
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Fairfield → Fairfield
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ERA09CA259
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning on to final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to witnesses, the glider was towed toward the mountains west of the airport, where the cable was released. The glider circled for about 10 minutes, but failed to gain lift. The glider proceeded to the south end of the airport, where it continued to circle and lose altitude. Approximately 400 yards short of the approach end of Runway 33, the glider made a steep left turn to enter the final approach, when it "suddenly snapped 90 degrees, wings vertical, then nosed into the ground." The tow pilot stated that the area where the accident occurred was known for its turbulent conditions. Winds at the time were recorded at an airport 18 miles to the west, from 290 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 24 knots. The pilot was sent an NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator report, but had not completed it at the time of this report.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Rolladen-Schneider LS8 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Apr 2007 | Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 | Circleville, West Virginia, United States | Dale C. Kramer | Serious injuries | - |
| 21 Mar 2016 | Rolladen-Schneider LS8 | Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, United States | Carlyle, John M. | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jul 2002 | Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 | Incline Village, Nevada, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Apr 2009 | Cessna 172 | York, Pennsylvania, United States | Av-Ed Flight School | No injuries | - |
| 6 Oct 2009 | Cessna 172S | Easton, Pennsylvania, United States | Moyer Aviation Inc | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jul 2009 | Robinson R44 | Silver Spring, Pennsylvania, United States | Advanced Helicopter Concepts | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jun 2009 | Diamond DA 40 | West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Oct 2009 | Piper PA28 | Meadville, Pennsylvania, United States | John T. Bouley | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Jul 2009 | Hughes 369 | Franklin, Pennsylvania, United States | Utility Helicopters Inc. | Fatal | 1 |