HARDSCRABBLE, VA, USA
N102PX
MASAK SCIMITAR
The pilot was ridge soaring and encountered an unexpected down current from an upwind plateau causing him to execute an emergency landing to a field approximately 450 feet in length. After touchdown the pilot ground looped the glider to avoid hitting a tree.
On April 25, 1998, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a MASAK Scimitar, N102PX, a home built glider, was substantially damaged during an off airport landing to a field near Hardscrabble, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Ridge Soaring Glider Port, Julian, Pennsylvania, approximately 1220. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the pilot stated, "I was ridge soaring the Appalachian Mountains and encountered some unexpected wave down wash from the upwind plateau." The pilot also stated, he had to make an emergency landing in a very short field (400-500 feet), and ground loop the glider to avoid hitting a tree.
The pilots encounter with an unexpected downdraft.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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