Probable cause
The glider pilot's inadequate flight planning, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
NTSB analysis
The glider pilot reported that, at 8,800 ft, he encountered a strong sink rate of about 400-600 ft per minute. He added that he was unable to find any thermals and decided to head towards a nearby airport to land. He soon realized that he would not be able to reach the airport and chose to land on a highway instead. During landing, the wings struck road signs and came to rest on the right side of the highway.
The glider sustained substantial damage to the wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA172 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 20, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sunriver, Oregon
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Lithuanian Factory Of Aviation LAK 12
- N-number
- N63010
- Category
- Glider
- Year built
- 1992
- 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.