# NTSB CEN24LA224: Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, N37JG, Elbert, CO, June 16, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2024, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Elbert, CO - Coordinates: 39.223726, -104.63974 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2237&lon=-104.6397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194481 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194481/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194481 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA224 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing with a right crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05640T1), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05640T1), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05640T1), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05640T1), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05640T1), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05640T1), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05640T1), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05640T1), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported that during the approach, the wind shifted 180°, and he amended his pattern to land on runway 17. During touchdown, a right crosswind gust lifted the glider, and the right wing contacted tall grass adjacent to the runway. The glider yawed to the right, and the pilot attempted to correct by applying left rudder and aileron. The glider then yawed to the left, and the left wing contacted the tall grass. The glider spun 180° and came to rest upright, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, he was landing the glider on runway 17 with a 12-knot right crosswind and wind gusts of 23 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37JG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37JG), registered now, S/N 03-179 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JONKER SAILPLANES (PTY) LTD JS3 RES - Registry model: [Jonker Sailplanes JS3 RES](https://openairdocs.org/model/jonker-sailplanes-js3-res) (registry code 05640T1) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: 03-179 - Year built: 2023 - Airframe hours: 32.5 - Engines: Solo RES electric - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 3, 2024 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CO15, Kelly Air Park, runway 17/35, 3,800 × 36 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2024; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,206 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,140 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 16 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KMNH, 1 nm away - METAR: KMNH 162135Z AUTO 18016G20KT 10SM CLR 28/00 A2993 RMK AO2 ## 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 20240616007909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240616007909A), Jun 16, 2024: Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd JS3 RES, Elbert, CO, Substantial damage. Upon approach to glider port for runway 35, landing gliders in front noted via radio a 180 degree wind shift. Amended pattern to use runway 17 instead. Flaps… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194481. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17278543&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120(1)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 471 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17278599&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.