# NTSB ERA10CA427: Schleicher ASW-24, N940CB, Erwin, NC, August 15, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2010, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Erwin, NC
- Coordinates: 35.380001, -78.732223
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3800&lon=-78.7322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA427
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76983/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76983
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA427

## Probable cause

The pilot's excessive use of spoiler on final approach, which resulted in a landing short of the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3801514), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=3801514), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=3801514), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-24, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801514), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, after a local flight in a glider, he returned to the airport for landing. During his approach to the grassy area adjacent to the runway, the pilot used an excessive amount of spoiler to descend and landed short of the runway. The glider's right wing struck a taxiway sign and light, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the glider, and the wind was calm at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

According to the glider pilot, after a local flight, he returned to the airport for landing. During his approach to the grassy area adjacent to runway 23, the pilot used an excessive amount of spoiler to descend, and landed short of the runway. The glider's right wing struck a taxiway sign and light, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the glider, and the winds were calm at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N940CB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N940CB), registered now, S/N 24069, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-24
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-24) (registry code 3801514) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 24069
- Airframe hours: 1312
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2010
- Departed: HRJ, Erwin, NC
- Destination: HRJ, Erwin, NC
- Airport: HRJ, Harnett County Regional Jetpor, runway 23, 5,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; last flight review February 7, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 577 total, 62 in this make and model, 554 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: HRJ

## 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 20100815050919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100815050919A), Aug 15, 2010: Schleicher ASW-24, Erwin, NC, Substantial damage. During approach to land on grass surface, between runway 23 and taxiway at Harnett Regional Jetport (hrj), pilot used excessive amount of spoiler to descend,…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76983. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 848 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF
- FAA Statement (item 3, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Recorded METAR weather observations (item 4, .PDF, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Recorded%20METAR%20weather%20observations-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Right wing damage (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 654 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Right%20wing%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Sign damage (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 894 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336348&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Sign%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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