# NTSB ERA21LA089: Glasflugel Club Libelle 205, N205HL, Bunn, NC, December 27, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 27, 2020, 13:36 local (18:36 UTC) - Place: Bunn, NC · In a open field - Coordinates: 35.961, -78.2536 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9610&lon=-78.2536&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102459 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102459/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102459 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3800346), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3800346), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3800346), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 CLUB LIBELLE 205, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3800346), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the glider reported that the takeoff and aerotow were normal, and he released from tow at 3,000 ft above ground level (agl). He stated that he kept the airport in sight for most of the flight; however, at an altitude of about 1,500 ft agl, he lost sight of the airport and was unable to locate it. At an altitude of 1,100 ft agl, he decided to look for a suitable field in which to land off-airport. As he approached the field, he recalled flying over a tree, but did not recall the accident sequence. A witness stated that he watched as the glider descended toward the field, “clipped” a tree, and collided with the ground nose-first. The glider’s vertical stabilizer and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident and the pilot was seriously injured. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the glider. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N205HL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N205HL-2021-05-07), registration cancelled 2021-05-07, S/N 142 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GLASFLUGEL CLUB LIBELLE 205 - Registry model: [Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205](https://openairdocs.org/model/glasflugel-club-libelle-205) (registry code 3800346) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 142 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 2020, 1,008 hours before - Departed: 7NC5, Bunn, NC - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 7NC5, Crooked Creek Private Airport - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private; medical: unknown; last flight review January 23, 2020; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 45 total, 1 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 49 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: LHZ, 6 nm away ## 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 20201227018859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201227018859A), Dec 27, 2020: Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205, Bunn, NC, Substantial damage. An eye witness stated that they saw the glider impact a tree while attempting to land in a field. The glider was substanbtially damaged when it impacted the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102459. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11852714&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA089_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11853612&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20JS%20correspondence%20N5179G-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� FAA telephone interview of witness (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11852947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20telephone%20witness%20statement%20LA089-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11852418&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA089-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.