# NTSB DEN86LA200: Schleicher ASW-20B, N26EE, Hobbs, NM, July 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1986, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Hobbs, NM
- Coordinates: 32.72982, -103.159484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7298&lon=-103.1595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT HE WAS PARTICIPATING IN A GLIDER SOARING CONTEST WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE STATED THAT HE WAS FLYING ON THE SECOND LEG OF THE FLT WHEN HE RAN OUT OF THERMALS TO KEEP HIS GLIDER FLYING, AND HE WAS FORCED TO LAND PREMATURELY. ON A DOWNWIND TO BASE LEG, THE GLIDER STALLED, HIT TELEPHONE LINES, AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26EE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26EE-1991-03-01), registration cancelled 1991-03-01, S/N 20689 (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: 20689
- Airframe hours: 117
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernesto Estrada
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: HBB, HOBBS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,384 total, 600 in this make and model, 107 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F

## 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 19860711033979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860711033979A), Jul 11, 1986: Schler ASW20, Hobbs, NM, Substantial damage. The glider stalled while attempting a landing. The pilot reported his judgment may have been affected by the heat.

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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