CANNAN, NH, USA
N245JD
ROLLADEN-SCHNEIDER LS-4A
THE GLIDER PILOT HAD JUST RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE. HE STARTED A LEFT CIRCLING CLIMB IN A THERMAL. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER CIRCLING ONCE, THE LIFT CHANGED SUDDENLY. THE GLIDER SANK ABRUPTLY. THE PILOT, IN HIS ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE RIDGE INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PILOT STATED THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD HE NOT ESTABLISHED THE THERMAL CIRCLE SO CLOSE TO THE RIDGE.
On August 7, 1994 at 1400 eastern daylight time, N245JD, a Rolladen-Schnieder LS-4A glider, collided with trees on high terrain, in Franconia, New Hampshire. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The glider was substantially damaged. The departure point was Franconia. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. Shortly after the pilot released from the towplane, he circled in a thermal southwest of the peak of Cannon Mountain. According to the pilot, "I started to thermal in a counter-clockwise circle. As I came around one rotation, the lift changed to sink abruptly." The pilot then lowered the nose of the aircraft and steepened the turn to avoid the ridge; however, the glider stalled, descended, and impacted trees on the ridge. The pilot stated the accident could have been prevented had he not established the thermal circle so close to the ridge, causing him to be unable to adequately maneuver in (south west blowing) air.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE A LOSS OF LIFT AND THE PILOT'S IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO MANEUVER TOO CLOSE TO THE RIDGE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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