Pipistrel VIRUS 912 N126BF

Summary

On 1 July 2008 at about 19:23 local time, a Pipistrel VIRUS 912 registered N126BF was involved in an accident near Bend, Oregon, United States. 2 people were 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

1 July 2008 at 19:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Bend, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Bend Municipal Airport (KBDN)

Coordinates

44.0944, -121.2003

Aircraft

Pipistrel VIRUS 912

Registration

N126BF

Category

Glider

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sunriver → Bend

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX08CA208

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper flare, inadequate bounced landing recovery, and his failure to maintain directional control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing an approach to the destination airport in his powered glider. The aircraft touched down and bounced. It then began to veer to the right of the runway centerline. The aircraft then swerved to the left and the pilot could not regain control. The aircraft continued off the runway surface and down an embankment. The main landing gear encountered soft terrain and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. He noted that winds were calm. When queried as to the cause of the accident, the pilot opined that the aircraft had "too much energy" during the landing sequence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.