PDPS PZL-BIELSKO SZD 55-1
Mocksville, NC — July 29, 2017
Event Information
| Date | July 29, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA456 |
| Event ID | 20170731X61631 |
| Location | Mocksville, NC |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 36.02083, -80.51639 |
| Airport | BAHNSON |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PDPS PZL-BIELSKO |
| Model | SZD 55-1 |
| Category | GLI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions.
Full Narrative
The glider pilot reported that, during landing in gusting wind conditions, the glider bounced, so the pilot added "more spoiler" to help the glider settle back onto the ground. He added that a gust of wind "rotated" the glider to the left and the glider bounced again, about 3-4 ft into the air. After the second bounce, the glider landed hard "with the nose yawed to the left".
The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located 16 nautical miles east from the accident airport reported that, about 40 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 30° at 17 knots, gusting 20 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 360° at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The glider landed on runway 1.
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.