Rolladen-Schneider LS-3 N1359

Summary

On 24 March 2011 at about 18:51 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-3 registered N1359, operated by Ruegger Rebecca M, was involved in an accident near Winchester, Tennessee, 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.

Date

24 March 2011 at 18:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Winchester, Tennessee, United States

Coordinates

35.0964, -86.0992

Aircraft

Rolladen-Schneider LS-3

Registration

N1359

Category

Glider

Operator

Ruegger Rebecca M

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jasper → Jasper

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11CA206

1 person was seriously injured.

The glider pilot's delayed response to changing weather conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing into trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the glider pilot, he was participating in a 500-kilometer event when he failed to notice that the weather deteriorated, with overcast skies that prevented the sun from heating the ground and creating the thermal lift he required. He further stated that the glider was too far from a mountain to benefit from mechanical lift, and he was forced to perform a landing into unsuitable terrain. In an effort to cushion the landing, the pilot landed into pine trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. He reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the glider prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.