Let L 23 SUPER BLANIK N266SE accident near Sylacauga, Alabama

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to properly assess her physical condition prior to conducting the flight.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot was maneuvering the glider to land at the conclusion of a local solo flight. While turning to allow for spacing with another glider in the airport traffic pattern, the pilot "vaguely" recalled the glider entering an aerodynamic stall. The glider subsequently impacted a tree, resulting in serious injury to the student pilot and substantial damage to the glider. Two witnesses observed the accident glider in the traffic pattern, and both recounted that it entered a right spin before descending to ground impact. The pilot stated that her preflight inspection of the glider revealed no anomalies and that the glider performed normally throughout the flight. She further stated that she felt nauseated the morning of the accident, had taken an over-the-counter decongestant medication, and was not properly hydrated before or during the flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14LA391 for the full record.