# NTSB CHI86LA208: Schleicher ASW-20, N12GH, Ionia, MI, August 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1986, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.97974, -85.049545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9797&lon=-85.0495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES SOUTH OF IONIA COUNTY AIRPORT, IONIA, MICHIGAN, HE USED FRONTAL ZONE LIFT TO CLIMB TO 4600 MSL (3800 AGL), AND HE ENCOUNTERED NO FURTHER LIFT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE ANTICIPATED AN INCREASE IN WIND GRADIENT DURING DESCENT AND WHILE ON A ONE MILE FINAL HE STILL HAD VISUAL CONFIDENCE IN MAKING THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE THEN EXPERIENCED SEVERE SINK AND STRUCK A BUSH AND A LARGE ROCK BEFORE COMING TO REST APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE SHORT OF RWY 36 AT IONIA COUNTY AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N12GH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20703
- Airframe hours: 165
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eldon G. Hammond
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1986
- Airport: Y70, Ionia County, runway 36, 4,125 × 400 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 33,333 total, 3,333 in this make and model, 11,708 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 20 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 19860817040589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860817040589A), Aug 17, 1986: Schler ASW20, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. The glider impacted short of the runway. The pilot misjudged the lifting action in the area.

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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