Ams Flight APIS-M accident near Modena, New York, June 28, 2008
On June 28, 2008 at about 1:55 pm local time, a Ams Flight APIS-M (glider), registered N1870R, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Modena, New York (Old Orchard Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper use of wing spoilers on final approach and his misjudged distance/altitude resulting in the glider colliding with trees short of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2008 · about 1:55 pm local time
- Place
- Modena, New York · Old Orchard Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ams Flight APIS-M
- Registration
- N1870R · no longer on the register · serial A023KM
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a witness, the glider was about 300 feet agl, on final approach to land, when the pilot deployed the wing spoilers. The glider descended below the tree line and then impacted trees and came to rest. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that there was no pre-crash aircraft structure or flight control anomalies found.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Drag control system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Unknown (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2NK9 Modena NY at 1:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KPOU, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.