Glider

N55SM

1974 Homebuilt RF5B Sperber

Registered 2 NTSB/FAA records
Built
1974
Serial
51053
Class
Glider
Engines
Limbach 1700E
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Individual · sign in to see
Based
Mcminnville, OR
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Registration record

N55SM on the FAA register

Type
1974 Homebuilt RF5B Sperber
Serial
51053
Engines
Limbach 1700E
Registered owner
Individual — the name of an individual registrant is shown to signed-in users. Sign in
Mcminnville, OR
Certificate issued
2019-06-27
Airworthiness date
1995-10-31
Registration expires
2029-06-30
Airworthiness class
Experimental · exhibition
Mode S (hex)
A6FEAE
Mode S (octal)
51577256
Seats (type)
2
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2029-06-30
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2019-06-27
    Certificate of registration issued as N55SM.
  • 1995-10-31
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (experimental category (exhibition)).
  • 1991-09-01
    Accident at Lockport, NY; damage: substantial.
  • 1976-08-10
    Accident at Penfield,Pa, 38; damage: substantial.
  • 1974
    Manufactured (1974).
Overview

About N55SM

N55SM is a 1974 Homebuilt RF5B Sperber, serial number 51053. It is registered to an individual in Mcminnville, Oregon. The current certificate of registration was issued on June 27, 2019 and expires on June 30, 2029.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a glider, one Limbach 1700E engine and 2 seats. Its airworthiness certificate is experimental category (exhibition), dated October 31, 1995.

N55SM has 2 accident/incident records on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

1991-09-01 Accident · Lockport, NY Damage: Substantial NTSB · NYC91LA228
Reported aircraft: Sportavia-Putzer RF5B
Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE GLIDER DURING LANDING. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED ON APPROACH.
1976-08-10 Accident · Penfield,Pa, 38 Damage: Substantial NTSB · 3 3036
Reported aircraft: Sportavia RF-5B
Probable cause: ARBURETOR HEAT SYSTEM

Sources: NTSB aviation accident database and CAROL case system, FAA preliminary accident & incident notices. Search accident records

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Browse: Aircraft registered in Oregon· Registry by state· FAA registry stats

Data: FAA Aircraft Registry (October 2026), including deregistered aircraft; NTSB and FAA accident data; fyiAero listing history. Individual owners' names are shown to signed-in users and street addresses are never shown. Type figures are published specifications, not this aircraft's.