# NTSB BFO85LA078: Schleicher ASW-20, N39DG, New Castle, VA, September 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1985, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: New Castle, VA
- Coordinates: 37.500274, -80.10913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5003&lon=-80.1091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF LIFT, HE FLEW OVER THE OPEN FIELD, OBSERVED ELECTRICAL WIRES, AND CONTINUED TO FLY PARALLEL WITH THE WIRES. AS HE TURNED WESTWARD TO LAND IN THE FIELD, THE PLT LOST SIGHT OF THE POWER LINES IN THE SUNSET. NEXT, THE PLT OBSERVED THE WIRES CONTACTING THE ACFT, ALTHOUGH A STATE TROOPER COULD NOT FIND EVIDENCE OF THE WIRES COLLIDING WITH ANY OF THE GLIDER'S WING SURFACES. THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER THEN STRUCK TWO FENCE POSTS AND THE ACFT GROUND-LOOPED BEFORE COMING TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39DG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39DG), registered now, S/N 20356 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20) (registry code 3801506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20356
- Airframe hours: 422
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joel N. Heintzelman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984
- Departed: VA85, NEW CASTLE, VA
- Airport: VA85, New Castle Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 1,565 total, 425 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA, 15 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 19850919077789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850919077789A), Sep 19, 1985: Schler ASW20, New Castle, VA, Substantial damage. The glider struck a fence post during landing. The pilot reported sun glare as he maneuvered to avoid wires.

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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