Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) JS1-C N963CG

Summary

On 24 June 2018 at about 21:32 local time, a Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) JS1-C registered N963CG was involved in an accident near Panguitch, Utah, 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

24 June 2018 at 21:32

Classification

Accident

Location

Panguitch, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Panguitch Muni (U55)

Coordinates

37.8453, -112.3922

Aircraft

Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) JS1-C

Registration

N963CG

Category

Glider

Year built

2014

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Air Race/Show

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Parowan → Parowan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA377

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s inability to maintain altitude and his delayed decision to deploy the powered-glider’s engine, which necessitated an off-airport landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The powered-glider pilot reported that, during the return flight to the airport after an informal glider competition, about 10,000 to 11,000 ft over mountainous terrain, he was unable to find lift, the glider descended to 9,000 ft, and he started the sustainer engine. He added that, after the glider climbed back to the initial altitude, he shut the sustainer engine off, stowed it, and continued to the destination airport. He reported that, about 4 miles from the airport, the glider began to sink about 1,000 ft per minute. He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful in the limited time available. He chose a field for an off-airport landing, the glider touched down, but the ground was slightly uneven, which resulted in the right wing dragging. The glider veered 20° to the right before coming to rest. The glider sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at an elevation of 7,950 ft, located about 14 miles east-southeast of the accident location, reported wind from 270° at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots; temperature 79°F; and dew point 9F. The calculated density altitude was 10,300 ft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.