Glaser Dirks DG 300 ELAN N300GG accident near Wilkeson, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot’s delayed decision to land following a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in collision with trees during the landing approach.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the glider had flown for about 1 hour and 20 minutes when he arrived in the vicinity of an airport other than his departure airport and reported to another glider pilot via radio that he was “looking for lift.” Information from an onboard flight recorder indicated that the pilot flew about 4 miles south of the airport before turning back toward the airport; circling several times in areas of lift, but generally descending until arriving over the airport at an altitude of about 565 ft above ground level. Witnesses at the airport saw the glider circling the airport several times before its landing gear was lowered and the glider flew toward the runway. During the landing approach, the glider impacted trees and descended to the ground in a steep, nose-down attitude. Examination of the glider revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s continued circling over the airport in an attempt to find lift. His delayed decision to land resulted in a low landing approach path and subsequent impact with trees.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19FA241 for the full record.