Burkhart Grob G-103A N794G accident near Minden, Nevada

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate flare and bounced landing recovery technique that resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot completed a one-hour local flight and entered the traffic pattern for the destination airport. He decided to maneuver the glider with a higher airspeed because of strong gusty wind and turbulence. With use of the airbrakes, he landed about 300 feet down the runway. The nosewheel touched down first and the glider bounced; then the tailwheel touched down and the glider bounced again. This cycle repeated twice despite the pilot’s attempts to control it with elevator. The pilot was not aware that the glider sustained substantial damage to the empennage until he exited the cockpit.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10CA422 for the full record.