NTSB Factual Report

On April 29, 2007, about 1540 Pacific daylight time, a Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir IIIB glider, N851BG, collided with flat desert terrain at the approach end of runway 12 at the Minden Tahoe Airport (MEV) Airport, Minden, Nevada. Soar Minden, Inc., operated the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the glider sustained substantial damage. The local area flight departed Minden about 1512. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot stated in a written report that he departed Minden with the intention of making a recreational soaring flight. Unable to find any workable lift, he elected to return to the airport and land. When the glider was on downwind the pilot observed a glider on the runway preparing to depart. He decided to extend his downwind and land on the adjacent taxiway. On final approach he realized he would not be able to reach the taxiway and landed the glider 300 yards short in sagebrush. The impact caused cracking of the fuselage and empennage bulkheads, as well as substantial damage to the keel and landing gear. The pilot stated that he had either extended the downwind leg too far, or had encountered sink.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude that resulted in an undershoot of the runway.