# NTSB CEN22LA319: Schleicher ASW-19B, N53JC, Elbert, CO, July 10, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 10, 2022, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Elbert, CO - Coordinates: 39.224119, -104.64014 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2241&lon=-104.6401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 105501 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105501/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105501 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA319 ## Probable cause The pilot’s misidentification of the runway during the visual approach which resulted in an off runway landing and impact with a trailer. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=3801505), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=3801505), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=3801505), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=3801505), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after encountering some unexpected wind shear about 10,000 ft mean sea level, he decided to terminate the flight and return to the departure airport. Given the ground wind conditions, the pilot entered a left traffic pattern to the gravel runway. For an unknown reason, the pilot turned final and lined up for landing on an adjacent parallel gravel roadway. The glider touched down normally and impacted a parked trailer with the right wing. The right wing sustained substantial damage to the leading edge. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53JC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53JC), registered now, S/N 19415, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-19B - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-19B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-19b) (registry code 3801505) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 19415 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 671 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 2022 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CO15, Kelly Air Park - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review January 21, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 210 total, 25 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 16 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KMNH, 1 nm away - METAR: KMNH 102134Z AUTO 10016G24KT 10SM CLR A3034 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT E ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 24, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105501. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14322667&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident damage photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 977 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14322364&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.