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Casualties unknown

Glider Crash on Final Approach (N14420)

Deland, FL, US

On March 13, 2005, a Let BLANIK L-13 (registration N14420) operated by Mark D. Shugg was involved in an aviation accident near Deland, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed during landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall, undershoot and collision with the ground. 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 crashed on the runway after the pilot reported a sudden drop in audible airspeed and rapid descent at low altitude. The glider impacted nose-down near the threshold of runway 27.

Accident Description and Pilot Account During the approach, the pilot stated that he entered the downwind leg at 1,000 feet, selected the spoilers, and adjusted the trim to reduce stick pressure. After turning base and final, the pilot maintained heading and approach speed until reaching approximately ten feet above the ground. At that point, the pilot felt a sudden drop in audible airspeed followed by a rapid descent to impact. The glider struck the ground with a nose-down attitude of approximately 45 to 50 degrees. The crash occurred on the runway, approximately 500 feet from the threshold of runway 27.

Loss of control in flightAerodynamic stall

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050322X00345. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.