# NTSB WPR11CA231: Let L 33 Solo, N278BA, Sparks, NV, May 22, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2011, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Sparks, NV - Coordinates: 39.544723, -119.778053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5447&lon=-119.7781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 79178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79178/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79178 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA231 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1360309), [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: [Let L 33 SOLO, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Let L 33 SOLO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1360309), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after an uneventful cross-country flight he returned to the airport to land with a 5- to 7-knot headwind down the runway. A witness stated that during the landing flare, at a height of approximately 5 feet, the pilot appeared to be at a high angle of attack. Subsequently, the airplane appeared to stall and land hard on the runway, substantially damaging both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after an uneventful cross-country flight, he returned to the airport to land with a 5 to 7 knot headwind down the runway. A witness stated to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that during the landing flare, at a height of approximately 5 feet, the pilot appeared to be at "a very high angle of attack". Subsequently, the airplane appeared to stall and land hard on the runway, substantially damaging both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N278BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N278BA), registered now, S/N 940207 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LET L 33 SOLO - Registry model: [Let L 33 SOLO](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-33-solo) (registry code 1360309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 940207 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sierra Fliers LLC - Registered owner: Sierra Fliers LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: NV23, Sparks, NV - Destination: NV23, Sparks, NV - Airport: NV23, Air Sailing Gliderport, runway 21, 3,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 18, 2011; seat: center; flight hours: 900 total, 7 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,200 ft broken ## 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 20110522008919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110522008919A), May 22, 2011: Let L 33 SOLO, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was landing runway 21 with a 5 knot head wind. A witness reported the aircraft appeared to stall about 5 feet above the ground. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79178. 642 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 574 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Witness Statement to FAA (item 3, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.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.