# NTSB DEN93LA062: Schleicher ASH 25 E, N555AB, Peyton, CO, May 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1993, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Peyton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.029129, -104.480949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0291&lon=-104.4809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA062

## Probable cause

THE ENCOUNTER WITH A DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER LAUNCHING VIA AERO TOW AND OBTAINING AN ALTITUDE OF BETWEEN TWO AND FOUR FEET, THE MOTORIZED GLIDER (ENGINE NOT OPERATING) AND TOW PLANE SANK TOWARDS THE GROUND.  THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER CONTACTED THE GROUND, CAUSING IT TO TURN LEFT.  THE GLIDER PILOT RELEASED FROM THE TOW PLANE, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID GROUND LOOPING.  WINDS AT COLORADO SPRINGS, LOCATED 13 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 105 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N555AB), registered now, S/N 25041, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASH 25 E
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASH-25E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-ash-25e) (registry code 38015F2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 25041
- Airframe hours: 450
- Engines: ROTAX 275 26 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Packard, Michael K.
- Registered owner: Packard, Michael K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1992, 45 hours before
- Departed: 00V
- Destination: 00V
- Airport: 00V, Meadow Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; seat: front; flight hours: 323 total, 123 in this make and model, 296 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 105° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930515013759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930515013759A), May 15, 1993: Schler K8, Peyton, CO, Substantial damage. On glider tow settled on liftoff. Dragged wing. Released and ground looped. Not using gliders engine.

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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