Schleicher ASK-21 accident near Front Royal, Virginia, October 6, 2024
On October 6, 2024 at about 6:50 pm local time, a 2002 Schleicher ASK-21 (glider), registered N341KS, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Front Royal, Virginia (Front Royal-Warren County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a hard, bounced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2024 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Front Royal, Virginia · Front Royal-Warren County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASK-21, built 2002 · all ASK-21s on the register
- Registration
- N341KS · registry record · serial 21752
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to work on landings, so he requested a “pattern tow” from the tow pilot. He released the towline on a 45° entry to the downwind leg and proceeded to fly a standard right-hand traffic pattern. The pilot stated that he kept his airbrakes in the “mostly closed” position from the final approach segment through landing. Upon touching down short of his intended aim point, the pilot reported that the glider bounced and entered a pilot-induced-oscillation, bouncing a few more times down the runway, and resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 101 hours in all; 80 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 33 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 28, 2024
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,291.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 12, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Skyline Soaring Club INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 3,008 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 pm from LUA, 19 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLUA 061835Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM 27/14 A3002 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 8, 2025. 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, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N341KS the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.