Pilot Debrief

SCHLEICHER ASW 20 near Hempstead, TX — 2015-08-23

Final reportCEN15LA376
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Date
2015-08-23
Location
Hempstead, TX, USA
Aircraft
SCHLEICHER ASW 20
Registration
N878S
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an attempted off-airport landing.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting a personal local flight in the glider. The tow pilot reported that the glider was uneventfully towed to and released at the prearranged altitude of 2,000 ft above ground level (agl). GPS data from the glider showed that it flew patterns consistent with maneuvers to gain altitude in areas of lift. The remainder of the glider's flight was downward and it did not reach an altitude greater than about 300 ft agl during the remaining flight segment, indicating that the pilot was likely attempting an off-airport landing. The data then showed that the glider flew into an area bounded by power lines and then the recording stopped. After a power interruption on the ground was detected, the glider was found near damaged power lines. An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact anomalies. A family member indicated that the pilot made a cell phone call during the accident flight; however, the cell phone did not have any record of a call being made during the flight. Although the pilot's autopsy revealed that he had significant coronary artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, which is most often a result of longstanding hypertension, no evidence was found indicating that a recent coronary ischemia had occurred. Thus, it is unlikely that the pilot's cardiac disease caused any symptoms that contributed to the accident. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the glider pilot attempted an off-airport landing and failed to maintain clearance from the power lines.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land safely after releasing from tow instead of continuing to maneuver.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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