Probable cause
The pilot's failure to use the dive brake during landing resulting in a long landing and collision.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was conducting his fourth solo flight and during the aero tow he "ballooned" and drifted to the right. The pilot repositioned the glider, slack developed in the tow rope, and the rope disconnected from the glider approximately 10 feet above the ground. The pilot did not use the dive brake to descend and landed long, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the glider systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DEN08CA157 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 9, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Boulder, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer SGS 2-33A
- N-number
- N17939
- Category
- Glider
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.