Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that after an uneventful cross-country flight he returned to the airport to land with a 5- to 7-knot headwind down the runway. A witness stated that during the landing flare, at a height of approximately 5 feet, the pilot appeared to be at a high angle of attack. Subsequently, the airplane appeared to stall and land hard on the runway, substantially damaging both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA231 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 22, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sparks, Nevada
- Nearest airport
- Air Sailing Gliderport (NV23)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Let L 33 SOLO
- N-number
- N278BA
- Category
- Glider
- 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.