Pilot Debrief

AB SPORTINE AVIACIJA LAK-17A near Middletown, NY — 2009-05-31

Final reportERA09CA320
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Date
2009-05-31
Location
Middletown, NY, USA
Airport
06N
Aircraft
AB SPORTINE AVIACIJA LAK-17A
Registration
N391BA
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in a loss of adequate airspeed and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot described entering the traffic pattern to land on the grass adjacent to runway 26. The pilot reported that wind was out of the northwest at about 15 knots gusting to about 20 knots. The pilot said that “There was moderate turbulence on downwind which increased on base and final. The glider stalled about 8 feet above touchdown due to insufficient speed for the conditions and landed hard, breaking the tail boom… My speed on base and final was insufficient for the conditions.” The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies or mechanical problems with the glider.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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