Casualties unknown

Glider Overruns Runway During Landing on Solo Flight (N302SL)

Highland, IL, US

On August 16, 2003, a Let L-13 BLANIK (registration N302SL) was involved in an aviation accident near Highland, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot mistakenly repositioned his hand on the flap lever and as a result raised and lowered the flaps instead of the spoilers. 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

During a solo flight for glider rating, the glider landed long and fast, overran the runway, and struck a dirt mound. The pilot reported possible confusion between flap and spoiler controls.

Accident Summary

A glider overran the end of the runway while landing and impacted a dirt mound. The accident occurred during the pilot's first solo flight as he was obtaining flight instruction for the addition of a glider rating.

Pilot's Account

The pilot reported that the flight was uneventful until he turned onto final approach. He stated that he was high on final and had to slip to lose altitude. During the slip, the glider "picked up some airspeed," according to the pilot. The glider landed "long, fast, and as a result hit the mound at the edge of the airport perimeter dirt road."

Witness Observations and Pilot Speculation

The pilot reported that several witnesses recalled not seeing the spoilers deployed during the final approach and landing. The pilot surmised that he had mistakenly repositioned his hand on the flap lever and as a result had been raising and lowering the flaps instead of the spoilers.

Probable cause

The pilot mistakenly repositioned his hand on the flap lever and as a result raised and lowered the flaps instead of the spoilers.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040102X00004. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.