Centrair 101A N643CA accident near Nephi, Utah

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to identify the proper landing surface which resulted in an off airstrip landing and collision with rough terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that while on downwind he elected to land on the grass runway parallel to the asphalt runway. As he crossed the threshold for the landing area, he realized he was landing onto a grass field next to the grass runway. With the glider too low to transition to the grass runway, the pilot continued to land onto the field. During the landing sequence, the glider impacted two culverts and sustained substantial damage to the fiberglass fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would preclude normal operation of the glider.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA321 for the full record.