# NTSB CHI83LA226: Schleicher ASW-20, N20ZZ, Lansing, MI, May 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1983, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Lansing, MI
- Location: 42.7325° N, 84.5555° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lansing, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7325&lon=-84.5555&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA226

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL 15 METER CHAMPIONSHIP MEET. DURING A TRIANGULAR COURSE, HE RAN OUT OF THERMAL ACTIVITY & SELECTED A FIELD FOR A LANDING. FROM THE AIR, HE THOUGHT HE HAD SELECTED AN ALFALFA FIELD WITH A 5 TO 6 INCH GROWTH. HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE FIELD ACTUALLY HAD GRASS APRX 24 TO 30 INCHES TALL. DURING THE LANDING, ONE WING CAUGHT THE GRASS, THE GLIDER SWERVED, THEN THE TAIL CONE FAILED FROM OVERLOAD FORCES FROM THE SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20ZZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20ZZ), registered now, S/N 20010, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schleicher ASW-20
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20) (registry code 3801506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Wastvedt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1983, 200 hours before
- Departed: Y70, IONIA, MI
- Destination: Y70, IONIA, MI
- Airport: runway 11, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,175 total, 80 in this make and model, 4,100 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830524021029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830524021029A), May 24, 1983: Schler ASW20, Lansing, MI, Substantial damage. Glider pilot lost lift and was forced to make off airport landing in high weeds which caused substantial damage.

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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