Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to assemble the glider’s elevator control before takeoff.
NTSB analysis
During his preflight assembly of the glider, the pilot got distracted and failed to connect the elevator control. During the subsequent takeoff, once the glider became airborne, the pilot realized there was no elevator control and immediately released himself from the tow airplane. The glider nosed down and impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA303 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 16, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Springfield, Vermont
- Nearest airport
- Hartness State Airport (Spring (VSF)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Centrair 101A
- N-number
- N99KG
- Category
- Glider
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.