Abnormal Runway Contact: Virus SW, N608US, accident occurred July 30, 2018 at Big Creek Flying Ranch (GA18), Clayton, Georgia

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 
 
https://registry.faa.gov/N608US 

Location: Clayton, GA
Accident Number: GAA18CA458
Date & Time: 07/30/2018, 1330 EDT
Registration: N608US
Aircraft: ALLEN W INKS VIRUS SW
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The powered-glider pilot reported that, during the approach, about 10 to 20 ft above the ground, the descent rate was higher than normal. He moved his hand from the spoiler to the throttle, but before he could apply power to arrest the descent, the glider landed hard and bounced. The glider then banked left, he added full power, but the left wingtip impacted a hedge, and the glider rotated counterclockwise. Subsequently, the glider impacted the ground and came to rest on a dirt embankment.

The powered-glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and engine mount.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and runway overrun.

Findings

Aircraft
Descent rate - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach
Miscellaneous/other

Landing
Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Runway excursion 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/01/2006
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/31/2017
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 842 hours (Total, all aircraft), 95 hours (Total, this make and model), 763 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: ALLEN W INKS
Registration: N608US
Model/Series: VIRUS SW
Aircraft Category: Glider
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 517 SWN 100 IS
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/02/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1322 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 89.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 912IS SPORT
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTOC, 995 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1735 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 159°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3100 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 150°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Toccoa, GA (TOC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Clayton, GA (GA18)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1245 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: BIG CREEK FLYING RANCH (GA18)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1650 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2800 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Valley/Terrain Following; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  34.832778, -83.409722 (est)