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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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June 8, 1991 · Glasflugel Libelle 201B Libelle 20 · N8041D

Saratoga, NY

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Saratoga, NY
Aircraft
Glasflugel Libelle 201B Libelle 20
Tail Number
N8041D
Operator
Philip Spaziani
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC91LA152

AFTER FLYING FOR OVER 2 HOURS THE PILOT PLANNED ON AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. HE THEN SAW A CLOUD AND TRIED FOR ADDITIONAL LIFT. HE ACHIEVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF LIFT, HOWEVER HE WAS CARRIED AWAY FROM HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA AND WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AREA. HE PLANNED FOR ANOTHER FIELD HOWEVER HE REALIZED IT WAS SLOPING THE WRONG WAY AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS TOO LOW TO CHANGE. HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH AND LANDED. THE FAA SAID THE PILOT LANDED ON AN UP HILL SLOPE AND THE FLARE THE PILOT ACCOMPLISHED WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE UPHILL SLOPE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY FLARE WHEN MAKING AN UPHILL LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT CONTINUED ATTEMPTS AT FINDING LIFT WHICH REDUCED HIS LANDING OPTIONS WHEN HE DECIDED TO LAND.

Full Narrative

AFTER FLYING FOR OVER 2 HOURS THE PILOT PLANNED ON AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. HE THEN SAW A CLOUD AND TRIED FOR ADDITIONAL LIFT. HE ACHIEVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF LIFT, HOWEVER HE WAS CARRIED AWAY FROM HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA AND WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AREA. HE PLANNED FOR ANOTHER FIELD HOWEVER HE REALIZED IT WAS SLOPING THE WRONG WAY AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS TOO LOW TO CHANGE. HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH AND LANDED. THE FAA SAID THE PILOT LANDED ON AN UP HILL SLOPE AND THE FLARE THE PILOT ACCOMPLISHED WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE UPHILL SLOPE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGlasflugel Libelle 201B Libelle 20
Tail NumberN8041D
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhilip Spaziani
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data