Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A accident near Front Royal, Virginia, July 5, 2001
On July 5, 2001 at about 8:23 pm local time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A (glider), registered N113RM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Front Royal, Virginia (Front Royal-Warren County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate altitude/clearance from a tree along his final approach path.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 2001 · about 8:23 pm local time
- Place
- Front Royal, Virginia · Front Royal-Warren County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rolladen-Schneider LS3-A
- Registration
- N113RM · no longer on the register · serial 3352
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the glider flight, the pilot determined that he lacked sufficient lift to return to his home airport, and he selected an off-airport landing site. The pilot stated he was aware of the trees and wires along his planned approach path, and determined that they would not be a factor. The pilot said that as he maneuvered towards his landing site, he abbreviated and steepened his approach in an effort to touchdown in the first one-third of the field. Just prior to touchdown, the left wing struck a tree, and the glider impacted terrain. According to the pilot, "I set up for an abbreviated approach when I really didn't need to. I rushed the approach and I was high on my base and turn to final. I knew the trees were there, but I really didn't see them as a factor. If I were 2 feet to the right and 3 feet higher, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I just didn't see the obstacle."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 7,312 hours in all; 87 in this make and model; 181 in the last 90 days; 62 in the last 30 days; 3,783 as pilot in command; 180 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 30, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 820 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 24, 2001; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,041 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FRR Front Royal VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 8:20 pm from OKV, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.