# NTSB ERA10CA260: Schleicher ASW-20C, N6BF, Unionville, PA, May 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2010, 12:44 local (16:44 UTC) - Place: Unionville, PA - Coordinates: 40.883609, -77.904441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8836&lon=-77.9044&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75983 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75983/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75983 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA260 ## Probable cause The pilot's lack of remedial action in response to a loss of altitude, which led to a forced landing in unsuitable terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3801502), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=3801502), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-20C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3801502), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the glider pilot, the flight was intended as a local recreational flight. He planned to climb via thermals to get across a five-mile gap between ridges, but was unable to gain altitude. He then attempted to turn to a "spur" that was separate from the main ridge to gain lift, but while performing the maneuvers the glider continued to lose altitude in a downdraft. The glider subsequently impacted trees and came to rest inverted, seriously injuring the pilot. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the glider. He stated that, in retrospect, he should have released the 10 gallons of water ballast in each wing and deployed positive flaps. A weather observation taken 35 miles from the accident site, approximately at the time of the accident, recorded the wind from 301 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, this was intended as an “out & return” recreational flight. He intended to climb via thermals to get across a five-mile gap between ridges, but was unable to gain altitude. He then attempted to turn to a “spur” that was separate from the main ridge to gain lift, but while performing the maneuvers, the glider continued to lose altitude “in sinking air.” The glider subsequently impacted trees and came to rest inverted, seriously injuring the pilot. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the glider. He stated that in retrospect, he should have released the 10 gallons of water ballast in each wing and deployed positive flaps. A weather observation taken approximately at the time of the accident, 35 miles from the accident site, recorded the wind as 290 degrees at 13 knots, gusting 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6BF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6BF-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 20832, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20C - 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: 20832 - Airframe hours: 1000 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dutka Leslie A - Registered owner: Dutka Leslie A - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2010 - Departed: 79N, Unionville, PA - Destination: 79N, Unionville, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 2,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KUNV, 35 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 20100509034519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100509034519A), May 9, 2010: Schleicher ASW-20C, Altoona, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot was ridge soaring, encountered a downdraft, was unable to arrest the rate of descent. Attempt to arrest the rate of descent resulted in an aircraft… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75983. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330847&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Digital Photograph Provided by FAA: View of the Glider at the Accident Site. (item 4, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA%3A%20View%20of%20the%20Glider%20at%20the%20Accident%20Site.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.