Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Moines, Washington
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Arlington, Washington
Accident Number: WPR20CA151
Date & Time: May 11, 2020, 12:53 Local
Registration: N355BA
Aircraft: Let L 33 SOLO
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of lift
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The glider pilot reported that while on final approach to land, the ground speed decreased and the glider descended faster than expected. Unable to reach the runway, he diverted to a gravel area to land out. The glider landed hard, and during the landing roll he heard a loud bang that was later identified as a pothole.
The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported no mechanical 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 loss of lift while on final approach which resulted in a hard off-airport landing.
Findings
Environmental issues Thermal lifting - Effect on operation
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing Loss of lift (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Hard landing
Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Student
Age: 58, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Center
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 19, 2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 4561 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4 hours (Total, this make and model), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Let
Registration: N355BA
Model/Series: L 33 SOLO No Series
Aircraft Category: Glider
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 990506
Landing Gear Type: Tandem
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 8, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines:
Airframe Total Time: 814.35 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT:
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPAE,606 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 198°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 350°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Arlington, WA (AWO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Arlington, WA (AWO)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 12:21 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Arlington Muni AWO
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 141 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 34
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5332 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 48.160831,-122.158889 (est)
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