Glasflugel H301 N25KD

Summary

On 8 August 2004 at about 20:46 local time, a Glasflugel H301 registered N25KD, operated by Richard Stone, was involved in an accident near Hutchinson, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 August 2004 at 20:46

Classification

Accident

Location

Hutchinson, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

37.9264, -97.9061

Aircraft

Glasflugel H301

Registration

N25KD

Category

Glider

Operator

Richard Stone

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hutchinson → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI04CA216

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper decision to change the landing area at a low altitude and the inadequate flare that resulted in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider sustained substantial damage when it landed hard during an off airport landing to a field. The pilot reported that he had been towed to 2,000 feet above ground level (agl). He was trying to find lift but he reported that the lift was "choppy and broken, difficult to center and work." His altitude was 1,500 feet agl when he was four miles northwest of the field. He attempted to fly back to the airport but he encountered turbulence and loss of lift. He decided to land in a field when his altitude was 800 feet agl. He lowered the landing gear and put in full flaps and set up for landing in a green field. When he recognized the field was a crop he turned toward a dirt field, but he encountered "heavy sink and turbulence." He reported that he leveled the wings prior to landing but landed hard. The glider skidded to a stop after traveling about 75-100 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.