# NTSB ERA10LA325: Schleicher ASH26, N26EL, Shelbyville, TN, June 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 2010, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Shelbyville, TN - Coordinates: 35.459999, -86.370277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4600&lon=-86.3703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA325 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA325 ## Probable cause A complete loss of electrical and engine power over unsuitable terrain due to a cannon plug that became disconnected for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system: starter-generator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022435): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022435/cases.md?model=05624RU), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022435/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: electrical pwr sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497/cases.md?model=05624RU), [All aircraft, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05624RU), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05624RU), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05624RU), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05624RU), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed in the self-launching motorized glider for the local flight. He stated that it was a smooth day with no lift, and he had to use the engine several times in order to stay aloft. While returning to the departure airport, at approximately 1,000 feet, the pilot raised the engine and attempted to start it. He received a battery warning indication in the cockpit and was unable to start the engine with the electrical system. The pilot selected a field for landing, but continued to troubleshoot the engine. The pilot successfully restarted the engine, abandoned the landing approach and flew for an additional few seconds before the engine stopped again and the pilot executed a forced landing to a second field. He stated that he was not properly configured to land and landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the glider's fuselage. Examination of the glider revealed that the engine start system and propeller pylon extension system could not be activated due to a dead battery. A charge was applied and subsequent attempts were still unsuccessful. The battery was charged overnight and examination behind the instrument panel the next day revealed a loose cannon plug. The plug was retained in place by two clips, one of which was disconnected. Once the cannon plug was retightened, all systems routed through the panel (fuel pump, propeller pylon extension, engine start) energized immediately and functioned as designed. The cannon plug was difficult to access and the manner in which the plug came loose could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 2010, about 1230 central daylight time, a Schleicher ASH 26E motorized glider, N26EL, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Shelbyville, Tennessee. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which originated from Tullahoma Regional Airport (THA), Tullahoma, Tennessee. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he departed in the self-launching glider for the local flight. He stated that it was a smooth day with no lift, and he had to use the engine "several times" in order to stay aloft. While returning to THA at approximately 1,000 feet, the pilot raised the engine and attempted to start it. He received a battery warning indication in the cockpit, and was unable to start the engine with the electrical system. The pilot selected a field for landing, but continued to attempt to "troubleshoot" the engine. The pilot successfully air-started the engine, and abandoned the landing approach to the field in order to continue to THA. The engine then ran for "10 to 20 seconds" before quitting, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. He stated that he was "not properly set up," and landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the glider's fuselage. The pilot stated that during post-accident inspection, he did not discover any anomalies of the fuel valves. He stated that the glider's fuel tank, which had a capacity of 4 gallons, contained about 2.5 gallons of fuel. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), records, the glider was manufactured in 2006, and was registered to the pilot in December, 2009. The most recent annual inspection was completed in February, 2010. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane; and a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on February 8, 2010. The pilot reported 1,050 hours total hours of flight experience, approximately 50 hours of which were in the accident glider. At 1256, the recorded weather at Smyrna Airport (MQY), Smyrna, Tennessee, located about 30 miles south of the accident location, included variable winds at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 3,700 feet, scattered clouds at 4,700 feet and 7,500 feet. The temperature was 34 degrees Celsius (C), the dew point was 22 degrees C, and the altimeter setting was 30.08 inches of mercury. The glider was examined by two FAA inspectors on July 7 and 8, 2010. The examination revealed that the engine start system and propeller pylon extension system could not be activated due to a dead battery. A charge was applied, and subsequent attempts were unsuccessful. The battery was then left to charge overnight. On the second day, examination behind theinstrument panel revealed a loose cannon plug. The plug was retained in place by two clips, one of which was disconnected. Once the cannon plug was retightened, all systems routed through the panel (fuel pump, propeller pylon extension, engine start) energized immediately and functioned as designed. The engine was rotated with the electric starter, but the fuel valve was kept in the "off" position to prevent engine start. According to the inspectors, the cannon plug was very difficult to access, and that the manner in which the plug came loose could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26EL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26EL-2015-08-27), registration cancelled 2015-08-27, S/N 26243, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASH26 (E) - Registry model: [Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-alexander-ash-26-e) (registry code 05624RU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Diamond AE50R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/diamond-ae50r) (registry code 21100, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 26243 - Engines: Diamond AE50R 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeffrey A Long - Registered owner: Jeffrey A Long - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2010 - Departed: THA, Tullahoma, TN - Destination: THA, Tullahoma, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 1,050 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 30 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 20100618037469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100618037469A), Jun 18, 2010: Schleicher ASH 26 E, Shelbyville, TN, Destroyed. Attempt to restart engine on powered glider failed due to power cannon plug to the engine/fuel pump/propeller mast came loose from ilec control unit. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N26EL (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA13CA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA310), Apr 12, 2013: Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E (N26EL), Tullahoma, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of wing spoilers during approach resulting in an altitude loss and collision with a tree. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76403. 612 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Form Memorandum (item 1, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342433&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Form%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342419&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statment (item 3, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342420&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statment-Redacted.PDF - Photo #1: View of Glider Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 446 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342421&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%231%3A%20View%20of%20Glider%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%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. --- 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.