Probable cause
The pilot’s improper control input during a bounced landing that resulted in the glider impacting terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot and passenger were landing after their second flight of the day. The pilot reported that during the landing he flared late, and the glider touched down on the main landing gear and bounced back into the air. The pilot pushed the control stick forward and the glider impacted the runway on its nose wheel resulting in substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA427 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 29, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hinckley, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Hinckley Airport (02C)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schleicher ASK21
- N-number
- N721WC
- Category
- Glider
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.