# NTSB WPR11CA338: Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17, N84AM, Adelanto, CA, July 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 15, 2011, 17:00 local (Jul 16, 2011, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Adelanto, CA - Coordinates: 34.568332, -117.553337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5683&lon=-117.5533&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81153 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA338 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81153/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81153 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA338 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect use of the flap control pitch control recovery which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801217), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=3801217), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=3801217), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=3801217), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=3801217), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=3801217), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801217), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he turned from the base leg to final approach at about 400 feet with full flaps and spoilers extended. On final approach about 100 feet above the ground, he decided to change the flap setting from 20 degrees to 10 degrees as there was a crosswind. He said that as he tried to move the flap handle, the handle slipped from his hand and instantly changed the flaps to 10 degrees, which resulted in the glider losing lift and nosed down. He pulled back on the controls, but the glider stalled and collided with the ground resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was turning the glider from base to final at about 400 feet with full flaps and spoilers extended. On final about 100 feet above the ground, the pilot decided to change his flap setting from 20 degrees to 10 degrees as there was a cross wind. When he went to move the flap handle, the handle slipped from his hand and instantly changed the flaps to 10 degrees, which caused the glider to lose lift and nose down. The pilot then pulled back on the controls which caused the glider to stall and collide with the ground. The glider was substantially damaged and the pilot was seriously injured during the accident. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84AM-2017-10-20), registration cancelled 2017-10-20, S/N 3466, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROLLADEN SCHNEIDER OHG LS-3-17 - Registry model: [Rolladen Schneider OHG LS-3-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/rolladen-schneider-ohg-ls-3-17) (registry code 3801217) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3466 - Airframe hours: 884 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 2011 - Departed: 0CL1, Adelanto, CA - Destination: 0CL1, Adelanto, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 0CL1, Krey Field Airport, runway 07, 3,360 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 15, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 439 total, 257 in this make and model, 367 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F - Observed at: KVCV ## 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 20110715017179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110715017179A), Jul 15, 2011: Rolladen Schneider LS-3-17, Adelanto, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he had been flying for about 2 hours and was coming back to 0CL1 for landing. On the aproach he was at 55 KTS, when he went to add flaps.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81153. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 625 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Picture 1. Photo of damage to the glider - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Picture%201.%20Photo%20of%20damage%20to%20the%20glider%20-%20Pilot-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.