Condor safety video showing a glider pilot unintentionally entering a spin at 300 ft AGL
SSF Identification: CSA14DC001
Aircraft: ASW-28
Injuries: 1 Fatal
The pilot was fatally injured and the ASW-28 standard class glider was substantially damaged when the glider impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude. Witnesses reported the glider appeared to be circling about 300 ft above the ground when the left-wing dropped and it dove into the ground.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the glider entering a low altitude spin from which the pilot was unable to recover.
Instructor Guide- Low Altitude Thermal Stall/Spin
This page provides instructor’s guidance on using the thermaling Stall/Spin accident video in their training environment. The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. The accident occurs when the accident pilot attempts to thermal close to the terrain and the glider stalls due to an external gust. You, the instructor, should emphasize the improper use of the hazards of operating close to the terrain in gusty and turbulent conditions. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- Did the accident pilot add back pressure to the stick?
- Was that action appropriate?
- Did the accident pilot add forward pressure to the stick?
- Was that action appropriate?
- Did the accident pilot add left or right rudder?
- Was that action appropriate?
- Did the accident pilot change the aileron position?
- Was that action appropriate?
- What is the basic problem the pilot is attempting to deal with?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot take during this phase of flight?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
Condor safety video showing a glider pilot trying to turn the glider using rudder, causing the glider to stall and spin out of the skidding turn.
SSF Identification: CSA11DC008
Aircraft: ASK-13
Injuries: 1 Fatal
The glider pilot was fatally injured and the ASK-13 was substantially damaged when the glider impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude. Witnesses reported the glider looked low on base and the pilot appeared to use an excessive amount of rudder during the turn to final. The glider stalled and spun into the ground short of the runway.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the glider entering a low altitude spin from which the pilot was unable to recover.
Instructor Guide- Stall/Spin Base to Final
This page provides instructor’s guidance on using the Stall/Spin Base to Final video in their training environment. The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. The accident occurs when the accident pilot attempts to skid the glider around the turn from base to final. Excess rudder is used with opposite aileron and back pressure to keep the nose on the landing spot as the sink rate increases. You, the instructor, should emphasize the improper use of the flight controls during this event. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- Did the accident pilot add back pressure to the stick?
- Was that action appropriate?
- Did the accident pilot add forward pressure to the stick?
- Was that action appropriate?
- Did the accident pilot add left or right rudder?
- Was that action appropriate?
- Did the accident pilot change the aileron position?
- Was that action appropriate?
- What is the basic problem the pilot is attempting to deal with?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot take during this phase of flight?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
Condor video showing a glider kiting on aerotow.
SSF Identification: CSA11DC001
Aircraft: Pawnee PA-25, ASK-13
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Uninjured
The tow-pilot was seriously injured and the Pawnee was substantially damaged after the airplane flipped over during a failed aerotow launch. The glider pilot reported “I lost sight of the tow-plane so I released and landed in the runway overrun area. I realized the tow-plane had flipped over after I got out of the glider.”
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the glider kiting during the initial portion of the aerotow.
Instructor Guide – The Kite
The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. This accident occurred because the glider pilot failed to compensate for the change in lift due to the increasing airspeed. You, the instructor, should emphasize the improper use of the flight controls during this event. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- Did the accident pilot add back pressure to the stick?
- Was that action appropriate?
- Did the accident pilot add forward pressure to the stick?
- Was that action appropriate?
- What happens to the amount of lift the glider wing produces as the tow-plane accelerates?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot take during this phase of flight?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
- The accident report indicates the tow-pilot was seriously injured
- Is this a possible consequence?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
Condor video showing stall/spin crash following a low altitude rope break.
SSF Identification: CSA11DC002
Aircraft: ASK-13
Injuries: 1 Fatal
The glider pilot was fatally injured and the ASK-13 was substantially damage following a failed aerotow launch. Witnesses reported that the launch seemed to be progressing normally when the rope broke about 200 ft AGL. The pilot immediately began a right turn to return to the runway. The glider impacted terrain in a vertical descent after the right-wing dropped.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the glider stalling and spinning while attempting to return to the runway following a low altitude rope break.
Instructor Guide – You Can’t Always Go Back
This page provides instructor’s guidance on using You Can’t Always Go Back video in their training environment. The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. The accident occurs because the glider pilot failed to establish and maintain the appropriate airspeed. You the instructor should emphasize the improper use of the flight controls during this event. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- What should be the pilot’s first action following a rope break?
- – Did the accident pilot take this action?
- The accident pilot immediately turned to return to the runway, was this the only option?
- – Could the pilot have landed straight ahead?
- – Could the pilot have landed beside the runway?
- – What options are available at your airport?
- What happens to the airspeed throughout the flight?
- – What is the airspeed after the rope breaks?
- – What is it when the glider stalls?
- Did the accident pilot skid the turn?
- What caused the glider to stall?
- – Was this a straight or turning stall?
- What warning signs could have tipped the pilot off that something was wrong?
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot take during this phase of flight?
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
Condor video showing a ground loop during an aerotow launch.
SSF Identification: CSA11DC003
Aircraft: ASK-13
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
The glider pilot was not injured and the ASK-13 was substantially damaged following a loss-of-control ground loop during the take-off roll. The glider pilot stated “The right-wing touched the ground, causing the glider to turn sideways. I tried to released as soon as the glider started to turn, but I couldn’t find the release handle quickly enough.”
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the glider’s right-wing striking the ground during the initial portion of the aerotow.
Instructor Guide-The Excursion
The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. The accident occurs because the pilot failed to correctly compensate for the cross-wind during launch. The instructor should emphasize the improper use of the flight controls during this event. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- Did the accident pilot attempt to compensate for the cross-wind?
- Where those inputs appropriate?
- Did the accident pilot modify his control input as the glider began to move?
- Was that action appropriate?
- What happens to the control effectiveness as the tow-plane accelerates?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot take during this phase of flight?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
Contor training video showing a glider pilot failing to maintain the proper aerotow position during a turn.
SSF Identification: CSA11DC004
Aircraft: Pawnee PA-25, ASK-13
Injuries: 3 Uninjured
The glider flight instructor and student pilot were not injured but the ASK-13 was substantially damaged after the tow-rope wrapped around the right-wing of the glider. The instructor reported “the student was attempting to return to the normal tow position when slack developed in the rope. The slack went behind the wing and the rope finally broke after it crushed the right aileron. The accident could have been prevented if I had released after the slackline had developed.”
Probable Cause: The instructors delayed response in correcting the students’ actions lead to slack developing in the tow-line resulting in the rope wrapping around the right-wing.
Instructor Guide- High and Outside
The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. The accident occurred after the glider pilot created an excessive amount of slack by quickly trying to recover from the initial mistake. You, the instructor, should emphasize the improper use of the flight controls during this event. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- What caused the glider to move out of the normal tow position?
- Was the student over or under controlling the glider?
- What control inputs should the pilot make?
- What visual queues should the glider pilot pay attention to?
- What queues were visible?
- Once the glider starts getting out of position:
- What action(s) should the glider pilot take to stabilize things?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot take to return to the normal tow position?
- What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
- The accident report describes events that occur after the video clip ends. Is this a possible outcome?
- How do you train pilots to recover from slack-line?
- Is releasing an option?
- When would releasing be an appropriate response?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
Condor video showing a high-speed spiral dive.
SSF Identification: CSA11DC005
Aircraft: ASK-13
Injuries: 1 Fatal
The glider pilot was fatally injured and the ASK-13 was destroyed following an in-flight breakup. Witnesses reported seeing the glider descending at a high rate of speed when the right-wing separated from the fuselage. The left-wing and fuselage exhibited extensive crush damage. The right-wing was located 1.2 miles NW of the main wreckage.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the in-flight separation of the right-wing.
Instructor Guide – The Inadvertent Spiral
This page provides instructor’s guidance on using The Inadvertent Spiral video in their training environment. The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. The accident occurs after the pilot attempts to pull out of this dive without reducing the bank angle. You, the instructor, should emphasize the improper use of the flight controls during this event. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- What action(s) did the pilot take to begin this maneuver?
- – Was that action(s) appropriate?
- What happens to the load factor of the glider as the bank angle increases?
- – Can you describe why the load factor increases?
- – What causes the bank angle to continue to increase?
- – What causes the airspeed to continue to increase?
- The accident occurs after the glider structure is overstressed:
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot take to recover from this maneuver?
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
- – What warning signs would you expect to observe?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likelihood of this accident occurring?
Condor video showing a glider turning to final while too high.
SSF Identification: CSA11DC006
Aircraft: ASK-13
Injuries: 1 Minor
The glider pilot received minor injuries and the ASK-13 was substantially damaged after impacting the airport perimeter fence 1/4 mile past the end of the runway. The pilot reported that he “ran through lift on base and he was unable to get down.” A postaccident examination of the glider revealed no malfunction in the flight controls or spoilers.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the glider being high and overrunning the runway
Instructor Guide – Nice View from up Here
This page provides instructor’s guidance on using the Nice View from up Here video in their training environment. The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. The accident occurs after the pilot fails to properly control the glider’s flight path and sink rate. You, the instructor, should emphasize the improper use of the flight controls during this event. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- Did the accident pilot use the proper amount of spoilers during the approach?
- How could the accident pilot determine if the glider was descending at the proper rate?
- – What should the initial TLAR (That Looks About Right) angle be?
- – Demonstrate how the pilot can easily notice if/when the TLAR angle changes.
- What actions can the pilot take once he notices being high on base/final?
- – What would happen if the pilot deployed full spoilers?
- – What would happen if the pilot also increased airspeed?
- Would a forward slip be appropriate?
- – How would the pilot enter this slip?
- – What happens to the airspeed indication while slipping your glider?
- – What signs indicate the pilot is executing the forward slip properly?
- – How would the pilot exit the slip?
- – At what altitude should the pilot exit the slip?
- – What other action(s) could the glider pilot take during this phase of flight?
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
Condor video showing a glider turning onto final while too low.
SSF Identification: CSA11DC007
Aircraft: ASK-13
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
The glider pilot was uninjured and the ASK-13 was substantially damaged after it struck a tree and unimproved terrain short of the runway. The pilot reported encountering ‘heavy sink on base leg” and the glider was unable to glide to the runway. A postaccident examination of the glider revealed no malfunction in the flight controls or spoilers.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the glider being low and unable to make the runway.
Instructor Guide – A bit of a Stretch
This page provides instructor’s guidance on using the A Bit of a Stretch video in their training environment. The video clip contains a Condor simulation of a potential accident. The accident occurs because the pilot fails to close the spoilers, causing the glider to sink below the proper glide path. You, the instructor, should emphasize the improper use of the flight controls during this event. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- What might have caused the pilot to deploy full spoilers?
- – Could that action have been appropriate?
- Is being low a likely outcome if the student was high on downwind and applied full spoilers to compensate?
- – What queues should the pilot be looking for to detect being high?
- – What queues should the pilot be looking for to detect when the glider is back on the proper glide-slope?
- – What queues should the pilot be looking for to detect being low?
- – What queues should the pilot be looking for to detect if the glider’s altitude is changing rapidly?
- Once the pilot detects that the glider is low:
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot take to compensate?
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
This video shows what might happen if the pilot is distracted during the pre-launch checklist.
SSF Identification: CSA08DC001
Aircraft: Blanik-L23
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
The glider pilot was not injured but the Blanik-L23 was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain while attempting to return to the runway. The pilot reported, “he misinterpreted the towplane ‘spoilers open’ signal and released at 200 ft AGL.” The gliders right wing struck the ground as the pilot was attempting to return to the airport.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper control inputs resulted in the in-flight separation of the right-wing.
Instructor Guide – Incomplete pre-launch Checklist Trigger video
This page provides instructor’s guidance on using the Incomplete pre-launch Checklist video in their training environment. The video clip demonstrates how a pilot can become distracted and fail to complete the pre-launch checklist. While launching with the spoilers open may not cause an accident, it does set the stage for one if the pilot fails to properly recognize the fault. You, the instructor, should emphasize the proper use of the pre-launch checklist, and the importance of eliminating distractions on the flight line and how to recognize what to do if a checklist was not properly completed. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- What might have caused the pilot to become distracted?
- – Could that distraction have been detected?
- What Single Pilot Resource Management (SPRM) skills did the pilot demonstrate?
- – How effectively did the pilot use the wingrunner?
- – How effectively did the pilot use the tow-pilot?
- – What other resources could the pilot have used?
- What can be done once the pilot detects that the glider is not climbing properly?
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot take when the tow-pilot signals ‘Spoilers Open’?
- – What action(s) should the glider pilot avoid taking?
- – How can the glider pilot communicate with the tow-pilot?
- – When should the tow-pilot give the ‘Spoilers Open’ signal?
- – What viaual and/or audio cues should the glider pilot see when towing with the spoilers open?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
This video shows what might happen if the pilot is distracted during the glider assembly process.
SSF Identification: CSA08DC002
Aircraft: Open Cirus
Injuries: 1 Fatal
The glider pilot was fatally injured and the Open Cirus was destroyed following an impact with terrain. Witnesses reported seeing the glider pitching up suddenly just after the glider lifted off. The glider reached approximately 150 ft AGL before the rope broke. The glider then pitched nose down and dove into the ground.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper assembly procedure resulted in the lack of elevator authority during the initial aerotow.
Instructor Guide – Glider misassembly Trigger video
This page provides instructor’s guidance on using the Glider Misassembly video in their training environment. The video clip shows a pilot being distracted while assembling his glider. The distraction results in the pilot failing to completely connect the elevator to the glider. The results will mean the pilot will have no pitch control over the glider. You, the instructor, should emphasize the importance of properly assembling the glider and the hazards of being distracted during the assembly process. You should also discuss the following points:
- What is the students general impression?
- What might have caused the pilot to become distracted?
- – What action(s) can the pilot use to eliminate distractions?
- – Describe at least 3 other potential distractions.
- What Single Pilot Resource Management (SPRM) skills did the pilot demonstrate?
- – How can the glider pilot coordinate with the assistant?
- – How can the glider pilot keep non-participants away from the glider?
- – What procedures can the organization use to keep non-participants away from the glider?
- – What role does a glider specific assembly checklist have in the assembly process?
- – What role does a glider specific critical assembly checklist have in the assembly process?
- – What role does a glider positive control check have in the assembly process?
- – What role does the wing runner have in checking for misassembly errors?
- When does the glider pilot have the opportunity to detect an assembly error?
- – What can be done in the assembly area?
- – What can be done while moving the glider to the flight line?
- – What can be done at the flight line?
- What can the glider pilot do to reduce the likely hood of this accident occurring?
