Glider excursion following long landing on wet grass

Casualties unknown • Waynesville, OH, US

A flight instructor intervened during a student pilot's landing, resulting in a ground excursion and wing strike against a railroad tie.

What happened

During a landing attempt on a grass runway, a student pilot experienced a long landing that caused the glider to float past the intended touchdown point. The flight instructor, who was on board, attempted to communicate corrective actions to the student pilot but received no response.

To prevent further deviation, the flight instructor took control of the aircraft and applied full spoilers and wheel brakes while pushing the nose forward. However, the wheel brakes locked, causing the glider to slide across the wet grass. In an effort to avoid colliding with a parked glider at the end of the runway, the instructor attempted to execute a ground loop. During this maneuver, the right wing of the glider struck a railroad tie.

There were no injuries reported in the accident.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to react in time to regain control after the student pilot performed a long landing.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-11-20 Schweizer SGS-2-33A accident near Waynesville, OH?

A flight instructor intervened during a student pilot's landing, resulting in a ground excursion and wing strike against a railroad tie.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-11-20 involved a Schweizer SGS-2-33A, registration N17883, at Waynesville, OH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to react in time to regain control after the student pilot performed a long landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X20162. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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