Pilot Debrief

AVIA STROITEL AC-5M near Kingston, NV — 2012-05-19

Final reportWPR12LA218
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Date
2012-05-19
Location
Kingston, NV, USA
Aircraft
AVIA STROITEL AC-5M
Registration
N186P
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while maneuvering in flight.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the motor-glider, who was flying with the motor stowed, had just crossed over a ridge at an altitude of about 500-600 feet above the ground, when he entered a thermal and began to climb. Soon thereafter the glider’s bank angle increased to the point where the pilot was apparently unable to maintain control of the glider. He jettisoned the glider’s canopy and bailed out, but was unable to open his parachute before impacting the terrain. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided steep climbing left turn in thermal.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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