Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK N373BA accident near Sterling, Massachusetts

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s lack of remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall in the landing flare and a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor reported that student pilot was flying the glider as it approached to land with the air brakes in the fully extended position. As the student pilot attempted to flare, the glider pitched up and stalled several feet above the runway, resulting in a hard landing. During the hard landing, the glider sustained minor damage and the student pilot was not injured; however, the flight instructor was seriously injured. The flight instructor added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the glider and he should have had his hands in close proximity to the controls to be ready to prevent any abrupt inputs and take control if required.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA327 for the full record.