Probable cause
The glider's encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the glider reported that, during a long distance ridgeline soaring flight, he encountered a loss of lift and dropped below the ridgeline. Unable to find another updraft, he was forced to land in an open field with tall grass. As the glider touched down, the landing gear struck a large hole that was concealed by the grass, shearing off the landing gear and causing a ground loop when the left wing struck the ground. The fuselage and tail were substantially damaged.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA16CA227 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 12, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Maysville, West Virginia
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
SZD 48-1JANTAR STD 2
- N-number
- N438QA
- Category
- Glider
- Year built
- 1979
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.