AB SPORTINE AVIACIJA LAK-17A
Middletown, NY — May 31, 2009
Event Information
| Date | May 31, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA09CA320 |
| Event ID | 20090604X32926 |
| Location | Middletown, NY |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 41.72194, -74.65444 |
| Airport | Randall Airport |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | AB SPORTINE AVIACIJA |
| Model | LAK-17A |
| Category | GLI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
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 failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in a loss of adequate airspeed and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
Full Narrative
The pilot described entering the traffic pattern to land on the grass, which was adjacent to runway 26. The wind was out of the northwest at about 15 knots gusting to about 20 knots. The pilot said “There was moderate turbulence on downwind which increased on base and final. The glider stalled about 8 feet above touchdown due to insufficient speed for the conditions and landed hard, breaking the tail boom… My speed on base and final was insufficient for the conditions.” The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies or mechanical problems with the glider.
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.