Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205 accident near Bunn, North Carolina, December 27, 2020
On December 27, 2020 at about 6:36 pm local time, a Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205 (glider), registered N205HL, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Bunn, North Carolina (Crooked Creek Private Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an off-airport landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 27, 2020 · about 6:36 pm local time
- Place
- Bunn, North Carolina · Crooked Creek Private Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Glasflugel CLUB LIBELLE 205
- Registration
- N205HL · no longer on the register · serial 142
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the glider reported that the takeoff and aerotow were normal, and he released from tow at 3,000 ft above ground level (agl). He stated that he kept the airport in sight for most of the flight; however, at an altitude of about 1,500 ft agl, he lost sight of the airport and was unable to locate it. At an altitude of 1,100 ft agl, he decided to look for a suitable field in which to land off-airport. As he approached the field, he recalled flying over a tree, but did not recall the accident sequence. A witness stated that he watched as the glider descended toward the field, “clipped” a tree, and collided with the ground nose-first. The glider’s vertical stabilizer and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident and the pilot was seriously injured. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the glider.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 45 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 13 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 23, 2020
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 5, 2020; 1,008 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 772 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 7NC5 Bunn NC at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 49°F (9°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 12:30 pm from LHZ, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on July 6, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� FAA Telephone Interview of Witness | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.