GAA18CA392

Factual narrative

According to the glider pilot, during a glider competition he passed a "weak frontal system" and lift could not be sustained. He determined that he had about 15 minutes of flight before the glider was going to land. He selected a large field and established a traffic pattern and accomplished a full stall landing. However, during the landing roll on down sloping terrain about 40 knots, the glider collided with a ditch. The glider sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. According to the glider pilot, during a glider competition, he passed a "weak frontal system," and lift could not be sustained. He selected a large field for landing, established a traffic pattern, and accomplished a full-stall landing. However, during the landing roll on down-sloping terrain about 40 knots, the glider collided with a ditch. The glider sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. 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
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Sloped/uneven terrain-Effect on operation - C