# NTSB ERA14CA220: Schleicher ASW 20, N777LR, Monroe, GA, May 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 4, 2014, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Monroe, GA - Coordinates: 33.777778, -83.686386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7778&lon=-83.6864&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 September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89161/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89161 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA220 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper selection of an off-airport landing site and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees during an off airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3801506), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-20, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3801506), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3801506), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3801506), [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-20, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801506), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot was practicing cross country maneuvers, but was forced to alter his destination due to weak lifting conditions encountered during the flight. According to the pilot, on his return leg to the departure airport he "started to get low" and began looking for an alternate landing site. While at 1,000 feet agl the pilot proceeded towards a farmer's field to initiate an off-field landing. The pilot stated that he may have initiated a brief turn at the last minute to search for another landing area, but could not recollect any additional events leading up to the accident. The glider impacted trees and subsequently came to rest on the ground about 100 yards south of a tree line. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and empennage section. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot was practicing cross country maneuvers, but was forced to alter his destination due to weak lifting conditions encountered during the flight. According to the pilot, on his return leg to the departure airport he "started to get low" and began looking for an alternate landing site. While at 1,000 feet agl the pilot proceeded towards a farmer's field to initiate an off-field landing. The pilot stated that he may have initiated a brief turn at the last minute to search for another landing area, but could not recollect any additional events leading up to the accident. The glider impacted trees and subsequently came to rest on the ground about 100 yards south of a tree line. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and empennage section. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N777LR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777LR-2014-10-20), registration cancelled 2014-10-20, S/N 20269, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW 20 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20) (registry code 3801506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 20269 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 1822 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 20, 2013 - Departed: D73, Monroe, GA - Destination: D73, Monroe, GA - Airport: D73, Monroe-Walton County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private; last flight review October 5, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 11 knots, gusting 4 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KWDR, 12 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 20140504006009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140504006009A), May 4, 2014: Schleicher ASW-20, Monroe, GA, Substantial damage. N777LR departed D73 for a local cross country competition. Glider lost altitude and attempted an off airport landing in a field (3.2 NM on 123 deg radial from… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89161. 5.1 MB in all. - NTSB Pilot 6120 Form (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Pilot%206120%20Form-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record – Pilot’s Statement (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Pilot%E2%80%99s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record – Weather (item 4, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Glider at Rest (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Glider%20at%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-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.