Pilot Debrief

ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER GMBH & CO ASW 27-18 near Greenwood, SC — 2026-04-20

Final reportERA26LA199
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Date
2026-04-20
Location
Greenwood, SC, USA
Aircraft
ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER GMBH & CO ASW 27-18
Registration
N27CU
Category
Glider
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The glider pilot’s encounter with a strong sink/loss of lift, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.

NTSB narrative

The glider pilot reported that he was participating in a racing competition. He was able to find thermals up to 7,000 ft mean sea level (msl) and later could not climb higher than 4,500 ft msl. At that time, the glider was about 20 miles from his intended destination, which the pilot thought he could reach; however, the glider subsequently encountered a strong sink, and he could not find any more thermals. Unable to glide to an airport, he attempted a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the left wing contacted a swale in the middle of the field. The glider spun, the tailboom also contacted the swale and separated, and the glider came to rest upright. The pilot also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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