Casualties unknown

Glider Ground Loop Following Long Landing on Uneven Strip (N9297Z)

Oxford, MI, US

On May 26, 1990, a Let L-13 (registration N9297Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Oxford, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot misjudged the approach and landed long as a result of making the approach with flaps, a configuration he was not very familiar with. 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, unfamiliar with flap configuration, misjudged approach and landed long on a hilly, soft strip, encountering a sharp bump and ground loop.

Overview

A glider accident occurred during landing when the pilot executed an approach with flaps, a configuration he was not familiar with. This led to a misjudged approach and a landing that was longer than intended.

Pilot Statement

The pilot reported that he made his approach to the landing area with flaps, a configuration with which he was not very familiar. As a result, he misjudged the approach and landed long.

Landing Conditions

The landing strip was described as hilly with rough and uneven terrain. Recent rains had made the surface soft in spots, further complicating the landing.

Sequence of Events

During the landing roll, the pilot encountered a sharp bump, which was followed by a sideways motion. The left wing then went down, and the glider ground looped.

The accident sequence ended with the glider ground looping after the left wing dropped. The pilot's unfamiliarity with the flap configuration contributed to the misjudged approach and subsequent long landing on the challenging terrain.

Probable cause

The pilot misjudged the approach and landed long as a result of making the approach with flaps, a configuration he was not very familiar with.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23113. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.