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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 8, 1994 · Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 · N4MN

Elbert, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Elbert, CO
Aircraft
Rolladen-Schneider LS-4
Tail Number
N4MN
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA151

DURING SHORT FINAL FOR LANDING IN A GLIDER, THE PILOT SAW A TOW PLANE TURNING RIGHT JUST OFF HIS RIGHT SIDE AND TOOK EVASIVE ACTION TO THE LEFT TO AVOID WHAT HE INTERPRETED TO BE AN IMMINENT COLLISION. DURING THIS ACTION THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER IMPACTED ON THE LEFT WING AND NOSE. THE TOW PLANE MADE A NORMAL LANDING IN THE DESIGNATED TOW PLANE LANDING AREA. THE PILOT WAS UNAWARE THE GLIDER WAS BESIDE HIM. THE GLIDER RUNWAY AND TOW PLANE RUNWAY ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND ARE A RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY USED AS A RUNWAY, AS PUBLISHED IN THE AIRPORT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. THE TOW PLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A RADIO; THEREFORE, HE DID NOT HEAR THE GLIDER PILOT'S TRANSMITTED INTENTIONS.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT ON THE PART OF BOTH PILOTS. A FACTOR WAS POOR AIRPORT OPERATIONS.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 1994, at 1600 mountain daylight time, a Rolladen Schneider LS-4 glider, N4MN, sustained substantial damage during landing at Kelly Air Park, Elbert, Colorado. The pilot was not injured and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, he was just off the ground during landing when he saw an airplane just off his right side in a right hand turn. He stated he thought a midair collision was eminent and turned left to avoid the aircraft. The left wing of the glider bounced off the ground resulting in a nose low, left wing down collision with the ground. A witness indicated the glider and the airplane were approaching to land approximately 15 feet apart, wing to wing, when the glider suddenly veered left and collided with the ground. Investigation revealed that the runway area being used by the aircraft was a grass strip next to the runway and that the aircraft radio was inoperative. The pilot of the aircraft did not hear the glider pilot call in and did not see the glider. The two were lined up to land simultaneously, each on the runway specified for the type. Attached is an airport diagram and airport operating instructions. These provide information that the runway and taxiways are both used for arrivals and departures, are in close proximity to each other, and have opposing traffic patterns.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MDT
Nearest AirportKelly Air Park (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width24 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRolladen-Schneider LS-4
Tail NumberN4MN
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data