Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath, which resulted in a long landing and collision with a person on the ground.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that he extended the downwind leg to accommodate a departing tow airplane. During the subsequent approach, the glider was high. The pilot did not use the dive brakes to reduce altitude and attempted a forward slip; however, the glider remained high and fast throughout the approach. As a result, the glider touched down near the end and right side of the runway. During the subsequent landing rollout, the right wing struck a person on the ground, which resulted in serious injury. The glider then ground looped and sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA246 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 5, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lake Elsinore, California
- Nearest airport
- Skylark Airport (CA89)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer SGS 2-33A
- N-number
- N5790S
- Category
- Glider
- Year built
- 1968
- 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.