# NTSB DEN05CA146: Schleicher ASW-20B, N734K, Moriarty, NM, September 19, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 18, 2005, 21:15 local (Sep 19, 2005, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Moriarty, NM
- Coordinates: 34.985553, -106.009445
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9856&lon=-106.0094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05CA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA146

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider during the takeoff roll which resulted in a ground loop.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

While being towed during the takeoff roll, the glider's right wing contacted terrain approximately 20 yards down the runway. The pilot applied full left aileron and left rudder with no effect.  The right wing then contacted terrain and "caused a ground loop."

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734K-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 20624 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schleicher ASW-20B
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20b) (registry code 3801520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20624
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel Telford
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 0E0, Moriarty, NM
- Destination: 0E0, Moriarty, NM
- Airport: 0E0, Moriarty, runway 27

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,445 total, 162 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050918026109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050918026109A), Sep 18, 2005: Schler ASW20B, Moriarty, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot states that aerial tow was initiated. Flaps were set to zero for takeoff. Wind was gusty from the west-southwest at 3 to 5 KTS. Departure initiated…

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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