SALINA, UT, USA
N41MN
Rolladen-Schneider LS 4A
The pilot intended to fly from Parowan, Utah, to Payson, Utah, and return (a distance of approximately 300 miles). He was towed to an altitude of 7,500 feet msl (1,500 feet agl), and climbed in thermals and reached an altitude of 17,000 feet. At a point south of Salina, lift conditions deteriorated and he encountered sink. He selected a field 6 miles south of Salina in which to land. After touching down, he noticed an obstacle in the path of the left wing. He attempted to pull up and away from the obstacle but in doing so, the right wing contacted foliage, causing the glider to ground loop to the right.
On July 14, 1998, approximately 1755 mountain daylight time, a Rolladen-Schneider LS 4A, N41MN, was substantially damaged during landing roll in an open field near Salina, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant onboard, was uninjured. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Parowan, Utah, approximately 1420. According the pilot's accident report, it was his intention to fly from Parowan, Utah, to Payson, Utah, and return (a distance of approximately 300 miles). He was towed to an altitude of 7,500 feet msl (1,500 feet agl), and climbed in thermals and reached an altitude of 17,000 feet. He flew east to Panguitch, north to Pfeiler, Junction, and Richfield, then towards Salina. He said that when he reached a point south of Salina, lift conditions deteriorated and he encountered sink. He realized he would be unable to glide to the Salina-Gunnison Airport, so he selected a field 6 miles south in which to land. After touching down, he noticed an obstacle in the path of the left wing. He attempted to pull up and away from the obstacle but in doing so, the right wing contacted foliage, causing the glider to ground loop to the right.
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain to conduct a landing. Contributing was the loss of thermal lift and high vegetation.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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