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March 14, 2011 · Ams-Flight D O O DG-500 ELAN Orion · N505KK

Boulder, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Boulder, CO
Aircraft
Ams-Flight D O O DG-500 ELAN Orion
Tail Number
N505KK
Operator
Soaring Society of Boulder
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11CA225

According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was to practice slip maneuvers to a landing with no spoilers. While on short final of the traffic pattern, the student pilot reduced the slip to maintain the glide path, at which time, the glider encountered a sink and descended. While in the flare over a fence, the left wing impacted a fence pole, resulting in substantial damage to the glider. The CFI stated that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the glider prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-(general)-(general)-Effect on operation - C

Full Narrative

According to the accident report form submitted by the flight instructor, the student had lined the glider up for landing, and a prelanding assessment indicated that the winds were calm. The purpose of the flight was to practice slips to a landing with no spoilers. While on short final, the slip was reduced to maintain the glide path, at which time, the glider encountered a sink rate. The student maintained the glide path; however, while in the flare over a fence, the left wing impacted a fence pole, resulting in substantial damage to the glider. The flight instructor stated that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the glider prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 MDT
Nearest AirportBoulder Municipal Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAms-Flight D O O DG-500 ELAN Orion
Tail NumberN505KK
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSoaring Society of Boulder
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · None · None
Crew 2Age 29 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 10 C
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time18:49
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data