Schweizer SGS 2-33A N7776S accident near Sanford, Maine

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during landing, a gust of wind displaced the glider laterally to the left. She attempted to maneuver for a normal landing on the grass runway; however, the glider was too low to maneuver around a parked glider. She landed at an angle on the runway, and the glider ground looped and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the glider on runway 25 with wind from 260° at 12 knots, gusting to 17 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA244 for the full record.