Probable cause
The private pilot's improper aircraft handling.
NTSB analysis
During the instructional flight in the glider, a normal traffic pattern and normal approach were performed to runway 28. About 20 feet above the runway, the certified flight instructor instructed the private pilot to reduce the spoilers slightly and pull back on the stick. The private pilot then increased the spoiler application and moved the control stick forward. The glider immediately hit the runway in a nose-low attitude, bounced once, and slid to a stop down a slope next to the runway. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported with the glider.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for NYC08CA216 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 15, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mercer, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Grove City Airport (29D)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer S6S 2-33
- N-number
- N5714S
- Category
- Glider
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.