Rolladen-Schneider LS8 N16BP

Summary

On 21 March 2016 at about 15:20 local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS8 registered N16BP, operated by Carlyle, John M., was involved in an accident near Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 March 2016 at 15:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.3553, -76.2614

Aircraft

Rolladen-Schneider LS8

Registration

N16BP

Category

Glider

Year built

2000

Operator

Carlyle, John M.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Blairstown → Blairstown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA156

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inability to maintain the glider's descent rate and glide path after encountering a downdraft, resulting in a collision with trees during an off airport landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot of the glider, while performing a cross country flight along a mountain ridge, the pilot could no longer maintain altitude as a result of unfavorable wind conditions. The pilot reported that he elected to execute an off airport landing. He recounted that he selected a suitable landing area, and executed a normal traffic pattern. However, he reported that he encountered a strong downdraft and the glider impacted trees that bordered the selected landing area. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the glider prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.