Schleicher ASK-21 N341KS

Summary

On 6 October 2024 at about 18:50 local time, a Schleicher ASK-21 registered N341KS, operated by Skyline Soaring Club Inc, was involved in an accident near Front Royal, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 October 2024 at 18:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Front Royal, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Front Royal-Warren County (FRR)

Coordinates

38.9175, -78.2534

Aircraft

Schleicher ASK-21

Registration

N341KS

Category

Glider

Year built

2002

Operator

Skyline Soaring Club Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA25LA009

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a hard, bounced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to work on landings, so he requested a “pattern tow” from the tow pilot. He released the towline on a 45° entry to the downwind leg and proceeded to fly a standard right-hand traffic pattern. The pilot stated that he kept his airbrakes in the “mostly closed” position from the final approach segment through landing. Upon touching down short of his intended aim point, the pilot reported that the glider bounced and entered a pilot-induced-oscillation, bouncing a few more times down the runway, and resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.