Schleicher ASW 19B N27XX accident near Saratoga Springs, New York

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain glider control while attempting to land.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was attempting to land the glider. A witness described the glider's initial approach to the runway as "high and fast" and noted that the landing gear and spoilers were retracted. He added that the glider flew about halfway down the runway, climbed, turned right, and banked steeply before making a left "teardrop" turn. The glider then flew down the runway in the opposite direction. The landing gear extended and retracted at least once during the turn. The glider made a second low pass over the runway at an "excessive" speed but did not land. The glider then entered another climb and made a very steep descending left turn, and the left wing struck the ground followed by the nose. Data extracted from a GPS found in the wreckage were consistent with the witness's observations. The pilot was seriously injured and could not remember the accident sequence of events.

Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the glider.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15LA367 for the full record.