Landout and FSDO Wanting Maintenance Record

[John DeRosa]

Has anyone received one of these requests that we just received from our local FSDO;

"I’m currently investigating an occurrence with one of your gliders – Nxxxx – that was involved in an off airport landing back on May 11, 2026. I spoke with the pilot briefly and the assigned maintenance inspector is wanting to see the inspection records for the aircraft."

Thanks, John (OHM)

[George Underhill]

A fellow club member had an off field landing in MN.  The FSDO got wind of it, possibly by the sheriff's deputy, and they wanted him to bring his glider to them so they could inspect it and confirm it wasn't a crash.  I'm sure he probably got a letter too.  If he's on RAS he can give more specifics, but I'm not sure that he is.

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[Doug Tarmichael]

No, but that FSDO has an inspector who likes to make busy work for everyone.  

Doug

[Joe Gieseke]

I've had many request over the years for mx documentation. 

My advice, that you probably already know, don't give them any more than they ask for.

Don't hand them the logbooks.

Make copies of the inspection records they ask for and give that to them.

They most likely want to verify that the gliders inspection was current. 

Joe G

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[Dan S]

Yes, that happened to me I was advised to make sure all the placards were in place, including a compass deviation card. My tow hooks were up to date and my seat belts had not reached the replacement date. Overnighted the belts for strap replacement . Never heard from the anyone.

Dan S.

[Charles Mampe]

Oh, great.... No, I have not gone trough that, although it can be a wakeup call to everyone to make sure paperwork is up to date (like a checkride that was going to be done in a 2-33 with expired paperwork.....)

I did have a "normal" outlanding a couple years ago. Residents came up to check on me, no problem. I mentioned I, and the glider, were OK, "I was glad nobody called 911..." They both got quiet and walked away.

Normal police, fire department, ambulance, state troopers showed up (sorta central PA).

Everyone was talked to, state trooper got a lot of info. He asked, "should this be reported to the FAA??" My comment, "This is how it goes, you call they ask is pilot hurt, aircraft damaged, property damaged, no.....click"

He filed a report with FAA.

Got a call from aircraft insurance, the N number showed up on a report.

FAA Harrisburg called wanting info (guy had a soaring co-worker, no issue)

NTSB regional called wanting info. I gave him info and stated, "lots of peeps calling for a normal safe off airport glider landing". He laughed and said, no more calls from NTSB or FAA.

But I have never (yet) been asked for maintenance paperwork. I have many (40+?) off airport landings.

[Cliff Hilty]

You know, it seems that every FSDO is different and that cycles as personnel change at those. Please, when you post about good or bad experiences with the FAA or NTSB, include area and inspectors/personnel names and dates if possible. It would help us prepare for possible encounters. I have at least 10 or more off airport landings in about 60 or so landouts. And of them only 3 have involved any response from law enforcement. Two of those were in Arizona with Minimal contact of "Oh good, your OK. Do you need anything?" responses. Only one was a longer more drawn out, "You can't land here" scenario with private security at an abandoned "X" out runway in Nevada near the Nevada test site. It worked out in the end, but could have gotten ugly if I didn't allow them access to our phones🤪

Cliff

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