# NTSB MIA08CA194: Glasflugel H-301, N1263, Blairstown, NJ, September 15, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2008, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Blairstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.971111, -74.997222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9711&lon=-74.9972&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Allentown, Pennsylvania - NTSB case key (mKey): 68942 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68942/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA194 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent retraction of flaps during the landing flare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=3800337), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Glasflugel H 301 LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3800337), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: [Glasflugel H 301 LIBELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3800337), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated he was conducting a personal flight and flew around the local area before returning to his departure airport. He entered a left downwind for runway 25 and completed his before-landing checks. The winds were reported to be out of the west at 16 knots gusting to 26 knots. He lowered flaps, extended the speed brakes, and turned on final approach. The landing flare was initiated over the runway and he reached over to retract the speed brakes, and inadvertently retracted the flaps. The glider collided with the runway hard and came to a stop. The pilot exited the glider without assistance and without injury. Examination of the glider revealed that the tail section of the glider received structural damage. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the glider before the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was conducting a personal flight and flew around the local area before returning to his departure airport. He entered a left downwind for runway 25 and completed his before landing checks. The winds were reported to be out of the west at 16 knots gusting to 26 knots. He lowered flaps, extended the speed brakes, and turned on final approach. The landing flare was initiated over the runway and he reached over to retract the speed brakes, and inadvertently retracted the flaps. The glider collided with the runway hard and came to a stop. The pilot exited the glider with out assistance and with out injury. Examination of the glider revealed the tail section of the glider received structural damage. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the glider before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1263](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1263), registered now, S/N 78, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Glasflugel H-301 - 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: 78 - Airframe hours: 2570 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rudolf K. Braun - Registered owner: Rudolf K. Braun - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008, 14 hours before - Departed: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ - Destination: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ - Airport: NJ, Blairstown, runway 25, 3,100 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; last flight review April 1, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 40 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: 12N, 79 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 20080915844639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080915844639A), Sep 15, 2008: Glasfl H301LIBELLE, Blairstown, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was landing at Blairstown Airport (1N7), Blairstown, new jersey. At the time of landing the winds were gusting at about 12 knots. Pilot was over… 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.