# NTSB CEN13CA410: Schleicher ASW-27, N72EM, Elbert, CO, June 16, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 16, 2013, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Elbert, CO - Coordinates: 39.221389, -104.637222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2214&lon=-104.6372&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA410 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87475/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87475 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA410 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed return to the airport. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Convective weather: thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis In a written statement, the pilot said he departed in his glider with an observed thunderstorm approximately 50 miles from the airport. About 2 hours later, after hearing that other glider pilots had returned to the airport due to the approaching storm, he returned as well. During the approach to the airport, it was raining and the wind was gusting to 38 knots. The airplane landed with a left crosswind. During the landing roll, the left wing impacted the ground and the glider ground looped. The glider sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies and stated the accident could have been prevented if he had landed sooner. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot said he departed in his glider with an observed thunderstorm approximately 50 miles from the airport. About 2 hours later, after hearing that other glider pilots had returned to the airport due to the approaching storm, he returned as well. During the approach to the airport, it was raining and the wind was gusting to 38 knots. The airplane landed with a left crosswind. During the landing roll, the left wing impacted the ground and the glider ground looped. The glider sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies and stated the accident could have been prevented if he had landed sooner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72EM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72EM), registered now, S/N 27193, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-27 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-27](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-27) (registry code 3801501) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 27193 - Airframe hours: 993 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Culbertson Rick C - Registered owner: Culbertson Rick C - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2013 - Departed: CO15, Elbert, CO - Destination: CO15, Elbert, CO - Airport: CO15, Kelly Airpark, runway 35, 3,800 × 36 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; flight hours: 1,384 total, 363 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 27 knots, gusting 33 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: CO15 ## 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 20130616011849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130616011849A), Jun 16, 2013: Schleicher ASW-27, Substantial damage. On 05/10 /2013 at approximately 14:15 hours MDT, N72EM a Schleicher ASW27B an experimental exhibition glider landed in strong crosswind conditions at CO-15.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87475. 834 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 834 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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. --- 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.