# NTSB WPR21LA033: Schleicher ASK21, N684KS, Minden, NV, October 6, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 6, 2020, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV · Airport
- Coordinates: 39.0005, -119.75111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0005&lon=-119.7511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102222/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA033

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper application of the airbrakes during final approach, which resulted in a landing area undershoot and subsequent hard, bounced landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [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: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that he was landing the glider after an uneventful flight. During final approach, instead of closing the airbrakes, the student opened them further. Realizing his mistake, he then closed them; however, the glider lost altitude. Subsequently, the glider landed hard short of the runway, which resulted in the nosewheel penetrating the cockpit, and then bounced and landed nose first. Subsequently, the pilot lost directional control, and the glider exited the runway and came to a stop upright. The glider’s fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N684KS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASK21 (21219)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 21219
- Year built: 1984
- Airframe hours: 7581
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Media Stew LLC, doing business as High Sierra Pilots
- Registered owner: Soar Sierra LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 2020
- Departed: KMEV, Minden, NV
- Airport: MEV, Minden/Tahoe, runway 30, 5,299 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 69; injuries: none; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KMEV, 1 nm away

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.

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