# NTSB GAA17CA456: Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD 55-1, N817V, Mocksville, NC, July 29, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2017, 15:33 local (19:33 UTC) - Place: Mocksville, NC - Coordinates: 36.020832, -80.516387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0208&lon=-80.5164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95715 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA456 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95715/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95715 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA456 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8821644), [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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8821644), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported that, during landing in gusting wind conditions, the glider bounced, so the pilot added "more spoiler" to help the glider settle back onto the ground. He added that a wind gust "rotated" the glider to the left, and the glider bounced about 3 to 4 ft. After the second bounce, the glider landed hard "with the nose yawed to the left." The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located 16 nautical miles east of the accident airport reported that, about 40 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 30° at 17 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 360° at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The glider landed on runway 1. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot reported that, during landing in gusting wind conditions, the glider bounced, so the pilot added "more spoiler" to help the glider settle back onto the ground. He added that a gust of wind "rotated" the glider to the left and the glider bounced again, about 3-4 ft into the air. After the second bounce, the glider landed hard "with the nose yawed to the left". The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located 16 nautical miles east from the accident airport reported that, about 40 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 30° at 17 knots, gusting 20 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 360° at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The glider landed on runway 1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N817V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N817V-2019-03-20), registration cancelled 2019-03-20, S/N 551192035, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PDPS PZL-BIELSKO SZD 55-1 - Registry model: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/pdps-pzl-bielsko-szd-55-1) (registry code 8821644) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 551192035 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 1272 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 3, 2017 - Departed: 43NC, Mocksville, NC - Destination: 43NC, Mocksville, NC - Airport: 43NC, Bahnson, runway 01, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; last flight review October 28, 2016; seat: single; flight hours: 214 total, 62 in this make and model, 202 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 17 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KINT, 16 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 20170729007589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170729007589A), Jul 29, 2017: Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1, Mocksville, NC, Substantial damage. On July 29, 2017, at approximately 1715 EDT, a SZD-55-1, glider registered to [privacy data omitted] and piloted by [privacy data omitted] was attempting to… ## Other investigations on N817V (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA12CA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA378), May 28, 2012: Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1 (N817V), Mocksville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider pilot's failure to attain and maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95715. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457055&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457056&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457057&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.