# NTSB CEN12CA548: Schleicher ASW22, Uvalde, TX, August 10, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2012, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Uvalde, TX - Coordinates: 29.211389, -99.743614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2114&lon=-99.7436&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84692 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA548 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84692/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84692 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA548 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wing structure: spoilers](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035755): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035755/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW22 (BLE) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 22082 - Airframe hours: 1379 - Engines: 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. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; 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 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84692. 947 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 896 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.