Accident Overview
On April 19, 2008, at approximately 1600 eastern daylight time, a Let Blanik L-13 glider, registration N90870, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while landing at Dansville Municipal Airport (DSV) in Dansville, New York. The aircraft was engaged in a local instructional flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
Flight Crew and Experience
The flight instructor (CFI), who held a certificate, reported a total of 7,679 hours of flight experience, including 145 hours in gliders. The private pilot, also certificated, reported 300 hours of total flight experience, all in gliders. Neither pilot reported any mechanical malfunctions during the flight.
Sequence of Events
The flight was conducted as a familiarization flight for the private pilot, who had not flown a glider in approximately three years. The glider was towed to an altitude of 2,000 feet and released. The private pilot was flying and entered the traffic pattern for the grass landing area adjacent to runway 14, a 3,500-foot-long by 100-foot-wide asphalt runway. The turn from base leg to final approach was made at about 700 feet above ground level (agl).
According to the CFI, the private pilot was "a little reluctant" to remove the dive brakes, and the CFI removed them at 600 feet agl. The CFI stated that the runway touchdown point appeared acceptable and they continued. At approximately 200 feet agl, the glider began to sink, and the CFI took over the controls. They encountered a wind gradient that substantially reduced the glide ratio, resulting in a landing short of the intended touchdown point. The left wing struck a tree, causing the glider to ground-loop and come to a stop facing the opposite direction of landing.
Damage and Injuries
The glider came to rest about 100 feet prior to the runway and sustained substantial damage to its left wing and fuselage. The CFI and private pilot were not injured.
Pilot Statements
The private pilot stated that she initially felt the glider was "too high" until turning onto final approach, at which point she realized it was "too low."
Weather Conditions
A weather observation at DSV at 1554 reported wind from 140 degrees at 15 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 29°C, dew point 2°C, and altimeter 29.82 inches of mercury.