# Accident 20160904023869A: Schleicher ASW-27, Benton, TN, September 4, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 4, 2016, 13:00 local time
- Place: Benton, TN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.1158° N, 84.3550° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1158&lon=-84.3550&mi=10
- Aircraft: N27BZ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27BZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schleicher ASW-27 (registry code 3801501, https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-27
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA479](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA479) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160904023869A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT WAS TOWED AND RELEASED AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 FEET AND THEN PROCEEDED TO FLY 6 TO 7 MILES FROM THE DEPARTING AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL AREAS OF SINK ALONG ITS FLIGHT PATH, BUT LITTLE TO NO UPLIFT COULD BE FOUND.  THE PILOT MANUVERED THE AIRCRAFT BACK TO THE DEPARTING AIRPORT BUT WAS STILL NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY ADDITIONAL LIFT. A DECISION WAS MADE TO LAND IN A FIELD, BASED ON THE LOST ALTITUDE. WHILE MANUVERING TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT, ANOTHER SINK AREA WAS ENCOUNTERED WHILE TURNING ON FINAL AND THE PILOT MADE THE DECISION TO LAND IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID STALLING THE AIRCRAFT IN A TURN.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA16CA479](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA479), Sep 4, 2016: Schleicher ASW 27 (N27BZ), Benton, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider pilot's descent below the glidepath and the subsequent hard, off-airport landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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