Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper use of a navigation aid, which resulted in him becoming lost, and having to perform a forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
As the pilot was attempting to return to the airport after a soaring flight, he could not visually obtain it. The pilot then attempted to use GPS data to locate the airport, but another airport was mistakenly selected in the GPS unit. As the altitude of the glider continued to decay, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field. Upon touching down in the field, the glider encountered a ditch, and came to rest upright.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 31, 2004, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-27 glider, N127FP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while approaching the Garner Airport (3VA8), Windsor, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was attempting to return to the Garner Airport after a soaring flight; however, he could not visually obtain it. The pilot then attempted to use GPS data to locate the airport; however, another airport was mistakenly selected in the GPS unit. As the pilot continued to locate the airport, the altitude of the glider continued to decay, and he elected to perform a forced landing to a field. Upon touching down in the field, the glider encountered a ditch, and came to rest upright. The winds reported at a nearby airport were from 160 degrees at 10, gusting to 16 knots.