Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper descent rate that led to a hard landing and porpoise, and his improper recovery from the ensuing bounced landing, resulting in the eventual separation of the empennage. A factor was the updraft.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 24, 1998, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Grob G-103, N5448G, executed a hard landing at Crisp County Airport, Cordele, Georgia. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. There was no flight plan for this local flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The glider was substantially damaged, and the private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Crisp County Airport at 1545.
According to the pilot, he was flaring above the runway when the glider experienced an updraft and began a slight climb. In order to counteract the slight climb, the pilot added additional spoiler. The glider then came down hard on the runway and bounced back into the air. The glider continued to oscillate in this manner for three oscillations until the empennage separated from the fuselage. The glider then rolled off the runway and came to a stop.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL98LA079