Probable cause
The pilots’ failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusting crosswind.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was undergoing a flight review in a glider. Before the flight review, the pilot had obtained several hours of instruction from the flight instructor. During the final phase of a normal approach and landing, the glider became unstable due to a left crosswind. The glider's left wing contacted the ground, which resulted in a ground loop. During the ground loop, the tail boom separated, the main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA258 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 12, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Warner Springs, California
- Nearest airport
- Warner Springs Gliderport (CL35)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Stemme Gmbh & Co S10-VT
- N-number
- N921BR
- 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.