SCHLEICHER ALEXANDER K 7
Benton, TN — April 27, 2014
Event Information
| Date | April 27, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA14CA215 |
| Event ID | 20140430X55302 |
| Location | Benton, TN |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 35.22250, -84.58444 |
| Airport | Chilhowee Gliderport |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | SCHLEICHER ALEXANDER |
| Model | K 7 |
| Category | GLI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | MINR |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's distraction with traffic on the runway, and his subsequent failure to retract the air brakes prior to touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing.
Full Narrative
In a statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot of the glider stated that he was on final approach for landing with the air brakes deployed when he observed another glider on the runway. He raised the nose of his glider to clear the other glider, but did not retract the air brakes, which resulted in a hard landing. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Postaccident examination by an FAA inspector revealed minor damage to the glider's tail skid, and no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.