# NTSB ERA25LA009: Schleicher ASK-21, N341KS, Front Royal, VA, October 6, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 6, 2024, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Front Royal, VA - Coordinates: 38.917512, -78.253373 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9175&lon=-78.2534&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - 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): 195306 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195306/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195306 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a hard, bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASK-21, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=38015GY), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASK-21, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=38015GY), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASK-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=38015GY), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASK-21, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=38015GY), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to work on landings, so he requested a “pattern tow” from the tow pilot. He released the towline on a 45° entry to the downwind leg and proceeded to fly a standard right-hand traffic pattern. The pilot stated that he kept his airbrakes in the “mostly closed” position from the final approach segment through landing. Upon touching down short of his intended aim point, the pilot reported that the glider bounced and entered a pilot-induced-oscillation, bouncing a few more times down the runway, and resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N341KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N341KS), registered now, S/N 21752, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASK-21 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASK-21](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-ask-21) (registry code 38015GY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 21752 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 5291.7 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Skyline Soaring Club Inc - Registered owner: Skyline Soaring Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 2024 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FRR, Front Royal-Warren County, runway 28, 3,008 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; last flight review May 28, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 101 total, 80 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: LUA, 19 nm away - METAR: KLUA 061835Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM 27/14 A3002 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 20241006014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241006014879A), Oct 6, 2024: Schleicher ASK-21, Front Royal, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft inspected 10/23/2024. Aircraft sustained structeral damage to fuselage due to hard landing. Reviewed aircraft records and found no issues. Started… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195306. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17815197&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20appended%20%26%20redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 772 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17815380&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.