Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK N231LS accident near Ridgeland, South Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering to return for landing after a runway overshoot.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting her second solo flight in pursuit of a glider rating for her private pilot certificate. The pilot stated that while in the airport traffic pattern, she was too high on the base leg and made several 360° turns near the south end of the runway in an attempt to lose altitude. After leveling off, she realized she was still too high and entered a slip without the use of the spoilers, but the glider floated toward the departure end of the runway. With little runway remaining, she attempted a right turn, but the left wing dropped, consistent with an aerodynamic stall, and contacted the ground. The glider came to rest upright in a grassy area near the end of the runway. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA336 for the full record.