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CEN10CA388

2010-07-10 · Waynesville, Ohio, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's delayed decision that resulted in insufficent altitude to return to the departure airport.

Factual narrative

The student glider pilot was towed to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level and 2 miles from the departure airport, before releasing for a training flight in the local area. Unable to locate sustained lift, the student pilot returned to the airport for landing. The student pilot "thought that [she] had sufficient altitude to safely return to [departure airport]"; however, the glider contacted trees and terrain near the airport. Examination of the glider revealed both composite wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The student pilot stated there were no anomalies with the glider prior to the accident. The student glider pilot was towed to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level and 2 miles from the departure airport, before releasing for a training flight in the local area. Unable to locate sustained lift, the student pilot returned to the airport for landing. The student pilot "thought that [she] had sufficient altitude to safely return to [departure airport]"; however, the glider contacted trees and terrain near the airport. Examination of the glider revealed both composite wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The student pilot stated there were no anomalies with the glider prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Attain/maintain not possible

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_CEN10CA388.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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