# NTSB CEN15LA253: Schleicher ASW27 - 18E, N297JS, Lamy, NM, June 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 3, 2015, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Lamy, NM - Coordinates: 35.481109, -105.856109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4811&lon=-105.8561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - ABQ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91309 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91309/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91309 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA253 ## Probable cause A loss of glider control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence and the glider’s severe fragmentation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3801541), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=3801541), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Health/Fitness: predisposing condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013035): Personnel issues › Physical · Not specified; cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013035/cases.md?model=3801541), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3801541), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot was conducting a cross-country flight with a group of other gliders. One of the pilots in the group reported seeing the accident glider in an unusual attitude during the flight. When the accident pilot did not return from the flight, a search began. The composite glider was found the following day, and it was severely fragmented, which prevented a comprehensive examination; however, no evidence of a preimpact failure was noted. Although the pilot was at increased risk for an acute cardiac or neurologic event based on his history of cardiovascular disease and stroke, insufficient operational and medical evidence was found to determine whether or not such an event occurred or whether impairment or incapacitation caused or contributed to the accident. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the apparent loss of glider control could not be determined. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 3, 2015 about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Schleicher ASW 27-18E glider, N297JS, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances about 1.5 miles east of Lamy, New Mexico. The private pilot was fatally injured. The glider was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from Moriarty Airport, Moriarty, New Mexico, at an unconfirmed time. A witness reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector on-scene that the accident glider was in a group of about 15 gliders that were conducting a cross-country flight. The witness, who was a pilot in another glider, reported that during the flight he saw the accident glider in an unusual attitude, but did not see the impact. The wreckage of the glider was located about 1525 on June 4, 2015. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. A review of the FAA medical certification database revealed that the pilot had never applied for aeromedical certification. Operating a glider did not require medical certification. No flight logbooks were recovered for the pilot during the investigation and his total flight experience was unknown. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The glider was a single seat powered glider constructed of fiber reinforced composites. A SOLO model 2350 engine rated to produce 18 kilowatts (24 horsepower) provided in-flight power to sustain flight if needed, but was not used to "self-launch" the glider. Maintenance records for the accident glider were not recovered during the investigation. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The recorded weather conditions at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport, Santa Fe, New Mexico, about 16 miles northwest of the accident site, were: wind 250 degrees at 8 kts, clear sky, temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point -12 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 30.08 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The glider came to rest at coordinates 35.481 degrees north latitude, 105.856 degrees west longitude. The glider was fragmented with the largest piece of wreckage measuring about 5 ft in length. The control system of the glider was also fragmented and a comprehensive examination of the control system was not possible; however, no evidence of a pre-impact failure was noted. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The 73-year old male pilot in this accident had never applied for an aviation medical certificate. According to his personal medical records, he had severe coronary artery disease with 100% occlusion of the right coronary artery that was not amenable to angioplasty diagnosed in 2005, metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed in 2009, hypertension, high cholesterol, allergies, and a history of an abnormal glucose tolerance test. In July 2014, he suffered a stroke thought to be relatedto atrial fibrillation but an implanted loop recorder had not identified frequent episodes of any arrhythmia in the following 10 months. His medications at the time of the accident included bicalutamide, enalapril, lovastatin, Wal-Zyr, amlodipine, and clopidogrel. No internal autopsy or toxicology testing was performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N297JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N297JS-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 29690, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW27 - 18E (18E) - Registry model: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 E](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-schleicher-asw-27-18-e) (registry code 3801541) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Solo 2350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/solo-2350-series) (registry code 58107, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 29690 - Engines: SOLO 2350 24 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 0E0, Moriarty, NM - Destination: 0E0, Moriarty, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: fatal; private; seat: single ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: SAF, 16 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 20150603009769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150603009769A), Jun 3, 2015: Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18E, Lamy, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On June 3, 2015, at approximately 1430 MDT, an Alexander Schleicher ASW27-18E glider, N297JS, colllided with the ground appproximately 3 miles sse of lamey, NM… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91309. 317 KB in all. - Medical Factual Report (item 1, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446189&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-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.