# NTSB CEN12LA330: Schleicher ASW-27, N127PC, Ionia, MI, May 29, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2012, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.938056, -85.060554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9381&lon=-85.0606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 12, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83798/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83798
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA330

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper airspeed in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering at an altitude that did not provide a margin for recovery.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The glider initiated a turn about 200 feet above the ground near the airport. After initiating the turn, the left wing and nose of the glider dropped, and the glider descended and impacted into trees. Recorded wind conditions showed the presence of wind gusts that continued to increase after the accident. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Data from digital devices onboard the glider recorded a speed near the glider stall speed immediately before the accident. The glider’s flight path, as described by a witness and recorded by the glider’s onboard digital devices, was consistent with the glider being in a stalled condition before the descent into terrain.

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 2012, about 1535 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-27, N127PC, collided with the ground while maneuvering near the final approach for runway 27 at Ionia County Airport (Y70), Ionia, Michigan. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The glider was registered to Aerodonetics, Inc., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight during a Soaring Society of America (SSA) Region 6 North Super Regional glider competition. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight that originated from Y70 about 1413. A witness stated that he saw the glider returning to Y70 from the east. The glider was traveling at a "very slow speed" and the winds were gusting to 28 knots. As the glider got closer to the airport, it appeared that it side stepped and lined up for a straight-in approach to runway 27 (4,298 by 75 feet, asphalt). The witness stated that about 200 feet [above ground level], instead of deploying spoilers to land, the glider entered into a 90 degree turn to the south as if to "work a thermal" over runway 18/36 (4,261 feet by 340 feet, turf). The wind was pushing the glider "hard." The glider entered a turn to the left as if to enter a left downwind. At this point, the glider's left wing dropped followed by its nose, almost straight down to a northerly heading, while at an altitude that was about three times the height of the nearby trees. The witness stated that it appeared as if the pilot tried to regain control of the glider as one of the wings stopped dropping and the nose began to rise "slightly." The glider entered trees at about a 60 degree angle. The wreckage was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The examination confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit to the rudder and elevator. Both wings were separated from the fuselage. No anomalies that would have precluded normal operation were noted. Three electronic devices were removed from the wreckage and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorder Division for data recovery. The Y70 automated weather observing system at Y70 recorded the following: At 1513, wind - 270 degrees at 18 knots, gusting 24 knots At 1533, wind - 290 degrees at 21 knots, gusting 26 knots At 1553, wind - 260 degrees at 20 knots, gusting 27 knots Subsequent Y70 observations recorded increasing gusts. The Vehicle Recorder Division Electronic Devices Factual Report includes graphical overlays of the accident flight, altitude, true airspeed, and ground speed. During the last 6-1/2 minutes of the accident flight, there were periods, which the glider is circling, are characterized by highly variable ground speed data along with a relatively constant true airspeed of around 100 kilometers per hour. At 1535:06, the following approximate recorded values were: trueairspeed - 96 km/hr; ground speed - 53 km/hr; track - 234 degrees. The record ended at 1535:14. According to the ASW-27 Flight Manual, the airspeed indicator markings for the white and green arc are 92.5 km/hr and 100 km/hr, respectively. A postmortem examination was conducted by the Ionia County Medical Examiner. The cause of death was reported as blunt force injuries. The FAA’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the pilot. The test results were negative for all substances tested.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127PC-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 27219 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-27
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-27](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-27) (registry code 3801501) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 27219
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot
- Registered owner: Aerodonetics Inc
- Departed: Y70, Ionia, MI
- Destination: Y70, Ionia, MI
- Airport: Y70, Ionia County Airport, runway 27, 4,298 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,342 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 21 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observed at: Y70

## 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 20120529008879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120529008879A), May 29, 2012: Schleicher ASW-27, Ionia, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On may 29, 2012 at 1530 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-27 sail plane, N127PC, registered to aerodonetice inc and operated by a private pilot, was…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 23, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83798. 2.2 MB in all.

- Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF
- Electronic Devices 17 - Specialist's Factual Report (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Electronic%20Devices%2017%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- EDS 17 - Attachment-1, CAI 302 Vario Data (item 4, .CSV, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389240&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=EDS%2017%20-%20Attachment-1,%20CAI%20302%20Vario%20Data-Master.csv
- EDS 17 - Attachment-2, Oudie IGC Data (item 5, .CSV, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389241&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=EDS%2017%20-%20Attachment-2,%20Oudie%20IGC%20Data-Master.csv
- EDS 17 - Attachment-3, Oudie NMEA Data (item 6, .CSV, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389242&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=EDS%2017%20-%20Attachment-3,%20Oudie%20NMEA%20Data-Master.csv
- Flight Manual Excerpt (item 7, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Manual%20Excerpt-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records - Y70 AWOS (item 8, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20Y70%20AWOS-Master.PDF
- Toxicological Report (item 9, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.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.

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