# NTSB CHI90DEC05: Schleicher ASW-22, N8W, Richmond, MI, September 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1990, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, MI
- Coordinates: 42.799289, -82.749862 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7993&lon=-82.7499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEC05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEC05

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE RETRACTION OF THE FLAPS ALLOWING THE GLIDER TO SETTLE INTO AN UNUSUALLY LOW TOW ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
  - glider/tow release - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE THE PILOT RETRACTED THE FLAPS WHILE IN A NORMAL LOW-TOW POSITION. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE GLIDER THEN SETTLED INTO AN EXTREMELY LOW-TOW POSITION. HE HESITATED ON MAKING ANY ATTITUDE CORRECTIONS FEARING IT WOULD CAUSE THE TOW AIRCRAFT TO STALL. AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 180 FT, THE GLIDER PILOT RELEASED THE TOW LINE AND LINED UP FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH TO THE FIELD. THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A TREE AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-22
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 22014
- Airframe hours: 450
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91 subpart F
- Registered owner: Aero Marine, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1990, 18 hours before
- Airport: 69G, Richmond, runway 36, 2,620 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,444 total, 51 in this make and model, 6,444 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

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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