Schleicher ASK 21 N421SL

Summary

On 20 September 2014 at about 20:30 local time, a Schleicher ASK 21 registered N421SL, operated by Waco Transport Business Trust, was involved in an accident near Wurtsboro, New York, 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

20 September 2014 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Wurtsboro, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Wurtsboro-Sullivan County (N82)

Coordinates

41.5972, -74.4583

Aircraft

Schleicher ASK 21

Registration

N421SL

Category

Glider

Year built

2006

Operator

Waco Transport Business Trust

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wurtsboro → Wurtsboro

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14CA453

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of lift during the landing approach, which resulted in impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During his first flight of the day, the pilot of the glider experienced windy conditions and sinking air in the vicinity of the airport. He subsequently departed on a solo flight, flew for about 15 minutes, and then entered the airport traffic pattern for landing. To compensate for wind, he conducted the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at a higher speed, and entered the base leg early. On final approach for landing, the glider experienced a loss of lift and "rapid" loss of altitude, and landed short of the runway in an uneven area of vegetation, resulting in substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.