# NTSB CHI04CA216: Glasflugel H301, N25KD, Hutchinson, KS, August 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2004, 15:46 local (20:46 UTC) - Place: Hutchinson, KS - Coordinates: 37.926387, -97.906112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9264&lon=-97.9061&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Wichita KS FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59984 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59984/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA216 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to change the landing area at a low altitude and the inadequate flare that resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2004, at 1546 central daylight time, a Glasflugel H301 glider, N25KD, sustained substantial damage during an off airport landing to a field near Hutchinson, Kansas. The pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed the Sunflower Aerodrome (SN76), Hutchinson, Kansas, at 1501 on a local soaring flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. 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 reported that 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25KD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25KD-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 59, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Glasflugel H301 - Registry model: [Glasflugel H 301 LIBELLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-h-301-libelle) (registry code 3800337) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 59 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard Stone - Registered owner: Richard Stone - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SN76, Hutchinson, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 5,154 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: HUT ## 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 20040808024809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040808024809A), Aug 8, 2004: Glasfl H301LIBELLE, Yoder, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) During a local airplane tow glider flight, the pilot discovered that he was too FAR away from his intended point of landing because of the lack of… 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.