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NTSB Report

September 8, 2001 · Schweizer SGS 1-35 · N2540H

Cumberland, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cumberland, MD
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 1-35
Tail Number
N2540H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC01LA225

Prior to the accident flight, the pilot had not flown the same make and model as the accident glider. After soaring for several minutes, the pilot entered a downwind leg for runway 29 at 500 feet agl. On base leg, he extended the flaps to 30 degrees. The glider initially "ballooned," and the pilot maintained a 55-knot approach speed. The pilot then realized he was "too fast" and "too high." He then extended the flaps to 80 degrees, and performed a forward slip. The pilot's attention was diverted to another glider landing ahead of him, and the accident glider's spoiler/flap combination was not as effective as other models he had flown. The pilot touched down to the right of the glider ahead of him, on the grass adjacent to the runway, and more than 1,800 feet beyond the approach end of the 2,442-foot long, asphalt, runway. The glider then bounced several times, and traveled off the end of the runway into a fence. The reported wind at the airport, about 25 minutes prior to the accident, was from 140 degrees at 4 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot misjudged distance and altitude. A factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the glider.

Full Narrative

On September 8, 2001, about 1620 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-35 glider, N2540H, was substantially damaged while landing at Greater Cumberland Regional Airport (CBE), Cumberland, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had departed CBE about 1600. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot had not flown the same make and model as the accident glider. He had approximately 92 hours of flight experience in gliders. The pilot received a cockpit briefing from an instructor, and was then towed to 3,000 feet above ground level (agl). After soaring for several minutes, the pilot entered a downwind leg for runway 29 at 500 feet agl. On base leg, he extended the flaps to 30 degrees. The glider initially "ballooned," and the pilot maintained a 55-knot approach speed. The pilot then realized he was "too fast" and "too high." He then extended the flaps to 80 degrees, and performed a forward slip. The pilot added that his attention was diverted to another glider landing ahead of him, and the accident glider's spoiler/flap combination was not as effective as other models he had flown. The pilot touched down to the right of the glider ahead of him, on the grass adjacent to the runway, and more than 1,800 feet beyond the approach end of the 2,442-foot long, asphalt runway. The glider then bounced several times, and traveled off the end of the runway into a fence. The glider sustained damage to the wing spars and fuselage. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The reported wind at CBE, at 1555, was from 140 degrees at 4 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 EDT
Nearest AirportGreater Cumberland Regional (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length2442 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS 1-35
Tail NumberN2540H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data