- Date
- August 10, 2012, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place
- Uvalde, TX
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Standing
- Aircraft
- OK-2227Schleicher ASW22
- Defining event
- Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 9, 2012
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- FAA FSDO
- Case key
- 84692
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot did not fully stow the glider’s airbrakes, which prevented the glider from obtaining adequate airspeed during the takeoff roll.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
Using the taxiway as the runway, the pilot of the self-launching motor glider began the takeoff; however, the glider did not gain sufficient airspeed to depart. The pilot elected to continue the ground roll to an overrun area in order to give room for other gliders to depart. The glider impacted a drainage ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the bulkhead and structural mounts for the landing gear. On this type of glider, the wheel braking system is engaged by fully extending the airbrakes. The pilot reported that, after using the wheel brakes during engine start, he may not have fully retracted and stowed the airbrakes before initiating the takeoff.
Factual narrative
The pilot prepared the self-launching motor glider for takeoff by extending the airbrakes; this also engaged the wheel braking system. Using the taxiway as the runway, the pilot then proceeded down the taxiway for takeoff; however, the glider did not gain sufficient airspeed to depart. The pilot elected to continue the ground roll to an overrun area, in order to give room for other gliders to depart. The glider impacted a drainage ditch before coming to a stop. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the bulkhead and structural mounts for the landing gear. The pilot reported that he may not have had the airbrakes retracted and stowed for the takeoff, after releasing the brake.
Aircraft
- Registration
- OK-2227
- Reported as
- Schleicher ASW22 (BLE)
- Category
- Glider
- Serial number
- 22082
- Airframe hours
- 1,379
- Engine
- Wankel, 50 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Leteche Sportovni Centrum AeCR
- Registered owner
- Leteche Sportovni Centrum AeCR
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · January 20, 2012
- Departed
- KUVA · Uvalde, TX
- Destination
- KUVA · Uvalde, TX
- Flight plan
- Unknown
- Airport
- KUVA · Garner Field
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 52
- Injuries
- None
- Certificates
- Private, Foreign
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- November 19, 2011
- Flight hours
- 8,149 total · 999 in this make and model · 7,987 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 95 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.96 inHg
- Observed at
- KUVA
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2012, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 947 KB in all.