Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 accident near Jasper, Tennessee, March 15, 2010
On March 15, 2010 at about 6:15 pm local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 (glider), registered N465CB, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Jasper, Tennessee (Marion County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate in-flight planning by the glider pilot to intentionally cross a ridge at low altitude, resulting in the in-flight collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 15, 2010 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Jasper, Tennessee · Marion County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 · all LS-4s on the register
- Registration
- N465CB · registry record · serial 4339
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot stated that he intended on attempting the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) gold badge distance of 300 kilometers (186.42-mile) cross-country flight. He also stated that he felt pressure to fly first. The glider was towed aloft to 2,000 feet mean sea level, and released. He flew to the north side of a ridge and found lift, then flew south toward the airport in an effort to stay closer to it, intending on finding lift before proceeding. While approaching the ridge he encountered sink, and elected to cross the ridge. He crossed the ridge at approximately 300 feet above ground level and he could see the airport, but was unable to reach it. He maneuvered the glider for a landing into trees along the ridge. There was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the glider. The pilot later stated he should have landed in fields in the valley.
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
- Loss of lift during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 576 hours in all; 89 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 428 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 27, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 925 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,041 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: APT Jasper TN at 6:00 pm
- Destination: APT Jasper TN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from CHA, 16 miles away
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 ERA10CA176.