# NTSB FTW86FRG30: Schleicher ASW-20, N20TS, Uvalde, TX, August 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1986, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Uvalde, TX
- Coordinates: 29.209585, -99.780357 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2096&lon=-99.7804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FRG30
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRG30

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS COMPETING IN THE NATL SOARING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND HAD JUST CROSSED THE FINISH LINE AT 50' AGL AND 85 KNS A/S WHEN IT ENTERED A MANEUVER TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND CLIMB TO PATTERN ALT FOR LANDING. DURING THE TURN THE ACFT STALLED AND STRUCK A POWER LINE DURING THE SUBSEQUENT DESCENT. AFTER IMPACT, THE ACFT SLID INTO A VEHICLE. THE PLT MAY HAVE BEEN DISTRACTED BY OTHER ACFT OPERATING IN THE PATTERN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20TS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20TS), registered now, S/N 20483, built 1981 (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: 20483
- Airframe hours: 484
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Claude C. Gilmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1986
- Airport: UVA, Uvalde, Tx, runway 15, 2,000 × 30 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860804037269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860804037269A), Aug 4, 1986: Schler ASW20, Uvalde, TX, Destroyed. Stalled during a turn for landing. Struck wires and a truck. High temperature and pilot dehydration possible factor

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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