MCHOLLAND C L SOLITARE
Wellington, CO — January 29, 2011
Event Information
| Date | January 29, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN11CA166 |
| Event ID | 20110201X54237 |
| Location | Wellington, CO |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.80278, -104.98417 |
| Airport | Owl Canyon Gliderport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | MCHOLLAND C L |
| Model | SOLITARE |
| Category | GLI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The glider pilot’s misjudgment while approaching to land, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
Full Narrative
The glider pilot reported he was returning to land when he noticed another glider waiting for departure on the runway. He elected to land instead on another runway that required that he fly a further flight distance. The pilot said that he turned his base leg for landing too far away from the intended runway and that he did not anticipate the substantial downdraft and very strong headwind which he encountered on final approach. The glider landed approximately 500 feet short of the intended runway and impacted terrain and a railroad embankment causing substantial damage to the glider's fuselage and the right wing.
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.