Hph Spol Sro GLASFLUGEL 304 MS accident near Rifle, Colorado, June 9, 2022
On June 9, 2022 at about 11:37 pm local time, a 2019 Hph Spol Sro GLASFLUGEL 304 MS (glider), registered N249SD, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Rifle, Colorado (Rifle Garfield County). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider’s encounter with gusting tailwind and downdraft conditions that the pilot was unable to overcome.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 2022 · about 11:37 pm local time
- Place
- Rifle, Colorado · Rifle Garfield County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hph Spol Sro GLASFLUGEL 304 MS, built 2019 · all GLASFLUGEL 304 MSs on the register
- Registration
- N249SD · registry record · serial 110-MS
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the pilot maneuvered the glider in the airport traffic pattern, he radioed that he experienced a heavy sink rate. Shortly thereafter, the glider impacted the ground on airport property. Airport and weather surveillance cameras recorded blowing dust indicating gusting wind. Further meteorological reports supported the possibility of wind speeds up to 67 knots due to a downdraft, outflow boundary, or gust front. Airport surveillance video showed the glider descend in a left wing low, nose low attitude before it struck the ground. About the same time a dust cloud was seen on the video travelling the same direction as the glider, indicating a tailwind. Postaccident examination of the glider did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The examination also revealed that the glider’s retractable engine was stowed within the aft fuselage and was not available to enhance the glider’s climb capability. The accident occurred at the end of a flight that exceeded 5 hours in duration, and it is unknown if the pilot had access to or had received updated weather information during the flight. The terminal area forecast before departure did not indicate a chance of precipitation or rain showers for the accident site. However, about 4 hours before the accident it was updated to include the potential for convective activity. Based on the available evidence, the glider entered an area with weather conditions that included downdrafts and wind gusts, that the pilot could not overcome before the glider impacted the ground.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of lift during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › (general) › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 21,600 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Solo 2625 01 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 7,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 5 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KRIL
Weather report (METAR): KRIL 092353Z AUTO 29005G16KT 10SM CLR 33/M02 A3001 RMK AO2 PK WND 19043/2339 WSHFT 2332 SLP085 T03281017 10350 20289 56001
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN22FA240.