Glasflugel H-301 N1263 accident near Blairstown, New Jersey

Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent retraction of flaps during the landing flare.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated he was conducting a personal flight and flew around the local area before returning to his departure airport. He entered a left downwind for runway 25 and completed his before-landing checks. The winds were reported to be out of the west at 16 knots gusting to 26 knots. He lowered flaps, extended the speed brakes, and turned on final approach. The landing flare was initiated over the runway and he reached over to retract the speed brakes, and inadvertently retracted the flaps. The glider collided with the runway hard and came to a stop. The pilot exited the glider without assistance and without injury. Examination of the glider revealed that the tail section of the glider received structural damage. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the glider before the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08CA194 for the full record.