# NTSB CHI94LA280: Schleicher ASW-20, N6514M, Ionia, MI, August 14, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1994, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Ionia, MI
- Coordinates: 42.980216, -85.050521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9802&lon=-85.0505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA280

## Probable cause

no thermal lift available, and the lack of suitable terrain for landing.  A factor related to the accident was the high wind condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - no thermal lift (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A SOARING CONTEST.  HE RELEASED FROM THE TOW AIRPLANE AT 1900 FEET AGL, SEVEN MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT.  HE REPORTED HE IMMEDIATELY ENCOUNTERED HIGH WIND CONDITIONS AND A SINK RATE.  HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AIRPORT.  HE MADE AN INTENTIONAL LANDING IN SOME BUSHY TREES AND SCRUB BRUSH ONE MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.

## Factual narrative

On August 14, 1994, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-20, N6514M, sustained substantial damage when the pilot made an off-airport landing north of the Ionia County Airport, Ionia, Michigan.  The private pilot was not injured.  The personal flight originated at Ionia at 1400.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot was competing in a glider soaring contest which was being held at the Ionia Airport.  He stated the wind was from the west at 20-24 knots with gusts to 35 knots.  The pilot released from the tow airplane about 1430, seven miles northwest of the airport.  He said the glider had a sink rate of 400-600 feet-per- minute after release, and the wind was too strong to make a safe turn into it.  He intentionally landed into the tops of some low bushy trees and scrub brush.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6514M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6514M), registered now, S/N 20801, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20c) (registry code 3801502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20801
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert H. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1994, 9 hours before
- Departed: Y70
- Destination: MOP, MOUNT PLEASANT, MI
- Airport: Y70, Ionia County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,390 total, 561 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19940814027419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940814027419A), Aug 14, 1994: Schler ASW20, Ionia, MI, Substantial damage. Unable return airport or turn into strong wind. Intentionly landed in tree tops off airport.

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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