Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On May 8, 1994, at 1600 mountain daylight time, a Rolladen Schneider LS-4 glider, N4MN, sustained substantial damage during landing at Kelly Air Park, Elbert, Colorado. The pilot was not injured and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, he was just off the ground during landing when he saw an airplane just off his right side in a right hand turn. He stated he thought a midair collision was eminent and turned left to avoid the aircraft. The left wing of the glider bounced off the ground resulting in a nose low, left wing down collision with the ground.

A witness indicated the glider and the airplane were approaching to land approximately 15 feet apart, wing to wing, when the glider suddenly veered left and collided with the ground.

Investigation revealed that the runway area being used by the aircraft was a grass strip next to the runway and that the aircraft radio was inoperative. The pilot of the aircraft did not hear the glider pilot call in and did not see the glider. The two were lined up to land simultaneously, each on the runway specified for the type.

Attached is an airport diagram and airport operating instructions. These provide information that the runway and taxiways are both used for arrivals and departures, are in close proximity to each other, and have opposing traffic patterns. INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT ON THE PART OF BOTH PILOTS. A FACTOR WAS POOR AIRPORT OPERATIONS.