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Atlas / NTSB / WPR23LA245

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event WPR23LA245

2023-06-26 Williams, California, United States Airport · CN12 None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N26DX

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

SCHLEICHER ALEXANDER GMBH & CO ASH 26 E

Engine

DIAMOND AE50R (50 hp)

Seats / Engines

1 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

20070502

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A27D05

Registrant of record

LINNEKIN DENNIS

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

Factual narrative

The glider pilot reported that he partially extended the wing spoilers and completed a pre-landing checklist while on left base for his intended destination airport. Shortly after, the glider encountered “significant sinking air” and started a descent. He then maneuvered the glider directly towards the runway and stowed the wing spoilers to extend his glide for a precautionary landing. Subsequently, the glider impacting terrain short of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the nose of the glider. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

  • Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Thermal lifting-Effect on operation
  • Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Attain/maintain not possible
  • Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Rough terrain-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_WPR23LA245.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.