No fatalities

Glider Strikes Trailer After Landing Long

Hampshire, IL, United States

On September 30, 2017, a LET L 23 SUPER BLANIK NO SERIES operated by SKY SOARING INC was involved in an aviation accident near Hampshire, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A glider pilot reported being fast and too high on base leg, resulting in a long landing that led to the glider running off the runway and striking a storage trailer.

Accident Narrative

During the base leg of the traffic pattern, the glider pilot reported that the aircraft was "fast and too high." As the glider approached the runway, the pilot executed a landing that was longer than intended. The glider subsequently ran off the end of the runway, and the left wing struck a storage trailer parked on the left side of the runway area.

Damage

The impact with the trailer caused substantial damage to the glider's left wing and fuselage.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's report focused on the approach and landing conditions, indicating that the glider's speed and altitude were not ideal for a standard landing.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedLanding flare — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome