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WPR21LA033

2020-10-06 · Minden, Nevada, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport MEV

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot’s improper application of the airbrakes during final approach, which resulted in a landing area undershoot and subsequent hard, bounced landing.

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that he was landing the glider after an uneventful flight. During final approach, instead of closing the airbrakes, the student opened them further. Realizing his mistake, he then closed them; however, the glider lost altitude. Subsequently, the glider landed hard short of the runway, which resulted in the nosewheel penetrating the cockpit, and then bounced and landed nose first. Subsequently, the pilot lost directional control, and the glider exited the runway and came to a stop upright. The glider’s fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident 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.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-(general)-Incorrect use/operation
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2020_WPR21LA033.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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