N817V

Substantial
None

PDPS PZL-BIELSKO SZD 55-1S/N: 551192035

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, July 29, 2017
NTSB Number
GAA17CA456
Location
Mocksville, NC
Event ID
20170731X61631
Coordinates
36.020832, -80.516387
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N817V
Make
PDPS PZL-BIELSKO
Serial Number
551192035
Year Built
1992
Model / ICAO
SZD 55-1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
MORAINE PL PALGRAVE
Status
Deregistered
City
ONTARIO
State / Zip Code
L7E 0-E5
Country
United States

Analysis

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.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA456