# NTSB ATL90LA168: Schleicher ASK-21, N21SX, Memphis, TN, September 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1990, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.040912, -90.159034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0409&lon=-90.1590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA168

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A TREE DUE TO MISJUDGING HIS GLIDEPATH.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 1.5 HOURS AND WAS HEADING BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP FOR LANDING. HE DID NOT MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH THE AIRSTRIP, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND THE GLIDER IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A TREE ADJACENT TO THE FIELD, AND THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE GLIDER. THE GLIDER CRASHED ONTO THE FIELD IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE GLIDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N21SX (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASK-21
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 21278
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Memphis Soaring Society, Inc
- Registered owner: Memphis Soaring Society, Inc
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1990, 0 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,500 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 13 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900907038499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900907038499A), Sep 7, 1990: Schler ASK21, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. Ran out of lift. Struck tree on off airport landing.

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.

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