Pilot Debrief

SCHLEICHER ASW-27 near Ionia, MI — 2012-05-29

Final reportCEN12LA330
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Date
2012-05-29
Location
Ionia, MI, USA
Airport
Y70
Aircraft
SCHLEICHER ASW-27
Registration
N127PC
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper airspeed in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering at an altitude that did not provide a margin for recovery.

NTSB narrative

The glider initiated a turn about 200 feet above the ground near the airport. After initiating the turn, the left wing and nose of the glider dropped, and the glider descended and impacted into trees. Recorded wind conditions showed the presence of wind gusts that continued to increase after the accident. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Data from digital devices onboard the glider recorded a speed near the glider stall speed immediately before the accident. The glider’s flight path, as described by a witness and recorded by the glider’s onboard digital devices, was consistent with the glider being in a stalled condition before the descent into terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have deployed spoilers instead of turning away from landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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