Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Yadkinville, North Carolina 27055
Tuesady, May 14, 2013 15:40 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that he was conducting a local glider flight. After soaring for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, the pilot began to return to the departure airport. The pilot stated that the glider encountered a downdraft that would not allow him to return safely and he elected to land in a hay field about 3 miles northwest of the departure airport. The pilot further stated the approach was normal and at the "proper speed". While turning onto final approach the glider's right wing clipped a tree and spun around clockwise into trees. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed that the left and right wing leading edges incurred substantial damage due to impact with trees, and about three feet of the left wing tip was sheared off. Both spoilers were found in the full extended position. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's improper altitude management while maneuvering for an off-airport landing, which resulted in a collision with trees.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 5/14/2013
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 1540
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Yadkinville
Event State NORTH CAROLINA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 27055
Event Date Year 2013
Event Date Month 5
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 360305N
Event Location Longitude 0803200W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1554 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 330
Weather Observation Facility ID KINT
Elevation of weather observation facility 915
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 16
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 21
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 2
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 190
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 7
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 9
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.13
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report SA 14/05/2013 19:54-> METAR KINT 141954Z 19007G16K
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 1
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 31555
NTSB Notification Source Pilot
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Jun 5 2013 5:12PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N9860E
NTSB Number ERA13CA245
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name SCHWEIZER
Aircraft Model SGS 1-23H-15
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 69
Certified Max Gross Weight 750
Aircraft Category Glider
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats 1
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 1
Number of Engines 0
Fixed gear or retractable gear Retractable
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection May 8 2013 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 2157
ELT Installed No
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name CUMMINGS ROGER W
Aircraft Owner Street Address 5401 EASTERN SHORE DR
Aircraft Owner City GREENSBORO
Aircraft Owner State NC
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 27455-1367
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name CUMMINGS ROGER W
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address --
Operator City Greensboro
Operator State NC
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 27455
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code 43NC
Departure City Mocksville
Departure State NC
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1400
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code 43NC
Destination City Mocksville
Destination State NC
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jun 5 2013 5:12PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --