Pilot Debrief

LET L 23 SUPER BLANIK near Sylacauga, AL — 2014-08-17

Final reportERA14LA391
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Date
2014-08-17
Location
Sylacauga, AL, USA
Airport
SCD
Aircraft
LET L 23 SUPER BLANIK
Registration
N266SE
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to properly assess her physical condition prior to conducting the flight.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was maneuvering the glider to land at the conclusion of a local solo flight. While turning to allow for spacing with another glider in the airport traffic pattern, the pilot "vaguely" recalled the glider entering an aerodynamic stall. The glider subsequently impacted a tree, resulting in serious injury to the student pilot and substantial damage to the glider. Two witnesses observed the accident glider in the traffic pattern, and both recounted that it entered a right spin before descending to ground impact. The pilot stated that her preflight inspection of the glider revealed no anomalies and that the glider performed normally throughout the flight. She further stated that she felt nauseated the morning of the accident, had taken an over-the-counter decongestant medication, and was not properly hydrated before or during the flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to avoid the steep bank turn to prevent stall.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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