Rolladen Schneider Ohg LS-3-17 N84AM

Summary

On 16 July 2011 at about 00:00 local time, a Rolladen Schneider Ohg LS-3-17 registered N84AM was involved in an accident near Adelanto, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 July 2011 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Adelanto, California, United States

Nearest airport

Krey Field Airport (0CL1)

Coordinates

34.5683, -117.5533

Aircraft

Rolladen Schneider Ohg LS-3-17

Registration

N84AM

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Adelanto → Adelanto

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11CA338

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's incorrect use of the flap control pitch control recovery which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he turned from the base leg to final approach at about 400 feet with full flaps and spoilers extended. On final approach about 100 feet above the ground, he decided to change the flap setting from 20 degrees to 10 degrees as there was a crosswind. He said that as he tried to move the flap handle, the handle slipped from his hand and instantly changed the flaps to 10 degrees, which resulted in the glider losing lift and nosed down. He pulled back on the controls, but the glider stalled and collided with the ground resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.