N77FZ

Substantial
Minor

PZL-SWIDNIK PW 5S/N: 1711002

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, May 31, 2014
NTSB Number
WPR14CA219
Location
Enumclaw, WA
Event ID
20140602X72019
Coordinates
47.195556, -122.021942
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider during the landing flare which resulted in a stall and hard landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N77FZ
Make
PZL-SWIDNIK
Serial Number
1711002
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
PW 5SA02
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
ARGENTINA TRADE INC
Address
802 WEST ST
Status
Deregistered
City
WILMINGTON
State / Zip Code
DE 19801
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported while entering the airport traffic pattern, the glider encountered additional lift and he was too high for landing. The pilot attempted to descend by deploying the spoilers and performing a couple of 360 degree turns, however the glider did not lose altitude so he initiated a slip to lose the altitude. Just prior to touchdown, as he aligned the glider to runway heading, it stalled and landed hard. During the landing roll, the right wing struck the ground and the glider ground looped. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, prior to the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR14CA219