# NTSB CEN09CA475: Glasflugel Standard Libelle, N3872, Faribault, MN, July 26, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2009, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Faribault, MN - Coordinates: 44.327499, -93.327224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3275&lon=-93.3272&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 74397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA475 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74397/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74397 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA475 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain proper airspeed on approach to land. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel STANDRD LIBELLE 201B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3800342), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel STANDRD LIBELLE 201B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3800342), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Glasflugel STANDRD LIBELLE 201B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3800342), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported no anomalies with the glider's flight controls during the preflight inspections that preceded two flights on the day of the accident. The first flight was 40 minutes in duration and no anomalies were noted with the glider. The second flight, which was the accident flight, was about 2 1/2 hours in duration. When the pilot completed a before-landing check of the dive brakes, the closure of the dive brakes was normal. During the downwind leg of the approach, the dive brakes were extended and locked in place. The pilot stated that during the dive brake extension, they "seemed difficult to open, as sometimes happens" in the accident glider. The pilot stated that the dive brakes could not be retracted during the approach and that she had to fly a closer traffic pattern to land on the runway, resulting in a steep approach. The right wing tip struck the ground and the glider experienced a hard landing on the grass landing area adjacent to Runway 30. Damage to the glider included a fuselage separation several feet forward of the empennage, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident photos of the glider show the dive brakes retracted. The pilot received minor injuries. The pilot stated the dive brakes operated normally after the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported no anomalies with the glider's flight controls during preflight inspections that preceded two flights on the day of the accident. The first flight was 40 minutes in duration and no anomalies were noted with the glider. The second flight, which was the accident flight, was about 2 1/2 hours in duration during which the the pilot completed a before landing check of the dive brakes. The closure of the dive brakes during the check was described as normal. During the downwind leg of the approach, the dive brakes were extended and locked in place. The pilot stated that during the dive brake extension, they "seemed difficult to open, as sometimes happens" in the accident glider. The pilot stated the dive brakes could not be retracted during the approach and that she had to fly a closer traffic pattern to land on the runway resulting in a steep approach. The right wing tip struck the ground and the glider experienced a hard landing on the grass landing area adjacent to runway 30. Damage to the glider included a fuselage separation several feet forward of the empennage and towards the lateral direction resulting in substantial damage. Post accident photos of the glider show the dive brakes retracted. The pilot received minor injuries. The pilot stated the dive brakes operated normally after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3872](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3872), registered now, S/N 218, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Glasflugel Standard Libelle - Registry model: [Glasflugel STANDRD LIBELLE 201B](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-standrd-libelle-201b) (registry code 3800342) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 218 - Airframe hours: 1834 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 2008 - Departed: FBL, Faribault, MN - Destination: FBL, Faribault, MN - Airport: FBL, Faribault Municipal Airport, runway 30, 4,254 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review April 28, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 1,749 total, 279 in this make and model, 1,496 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: FBL ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090726048419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090726048419A), Jul 26, 2009: Glasflugel STANDARD LI, Faribault, MN, Substantial damage. The glider made a hard landing short of runway 30 at Faribault Municipal Airport, which was also the departure point. It then bounced and landed on a taxiway… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74397. 857 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Mechanic's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317946&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.