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Casualties unknown

Glider Pilot Stalls During Emergency Turn on Final Approach (N9997Q)

Littlefield, TX, US

On August 16, 1987, a Let L-13 (registration N9997Q) operated by Cap Rock Soaring Club was involved in an aviation accident near Littlefield, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent activation of flaps instead of spoilers, which resulted in an insufficient rate of descent and a subsequent stall during a corrective turn. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A glider pilot mistakenly activated flaps instead of spoilers while on final approach, leading to an unintended stall and ground impact short of the runway.

What happened

The accident occurred during the landing phase of a flight. The pilot was established on the final approach segment when he attempted to increase his rate of descent. In executing this maneuver, the pilot activated the flaps rather than the spoilers. Because the aircraft did not descend at the expected rate due to the incorrect control input, the pilot initiated a left 360-degree turn in an effort to lose altitude and align with the runway.

During the execution of this tight left turn, the airspeed decayed rapidly. The pilot unintentionally exceeded the critical angle of attack, causing the glider to stall. The aircraft subsequently collided with the ground short of the runway.

Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent activation of flaps instead of spoilers, which resulted in an insufficient rate of descent and a subsequent stall during a corrective turn.
Loss of control in flight

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31814. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.