# NTSB FTW97LA288: Schleicher ASW-20, N37VV, Briggs, TX, July 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1997, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Briggs, TX - Coordinates: 30.940219, -97.930747 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9402&lon=-97.9307&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20297 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20297/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA288 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the high vegetation on the side of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting an automotive tow from the south end of runway 16 at Faultline Flyers Gliderport. During the tow, the 'initial takeoff roll was uneventful.' The pilot stated that 'I achieved airspeed to get aileron control, but not sufficient speed to get elevator control for takeoff.' The right wing contacted some tall grass on the side of the runway which 'caused a ground loop,' and the glider's 'nose caught the ground.' The glider came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 1997, at 1330 central daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-20 glider, N37VV, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff near Briggs, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the glider, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. A flight plan was not filed for the local personal flight that was originating from the 4,500 foot turf airstrip at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he was attempting an automotive tow, from the south end of runway 16, at Faultline Flyers Gliderport, near Briggs, Texas. During the tow, the "initial takeoff roll was uneventful." The pilot stated that "I achieved airspeed to get aileron control, but not sufficient speed to get elevator control for takeoff." The right wing contacted some tall grass on the side of the runway which "caused a ground loop," and the glider's "nose caught the ground." The glider came to rest inverted. At the time of the accident, the commercial pilot has accumulated a total of 4,365 hours, of which 3,262 were in gliders, with 1,450 in the same make and model. The pilot reported that the weather at the time of the accident was clear sky and unlimited visibility with light and variable winds. The pilot reported that the nose of the glider separated from the aircraft. The canopy, wings, and tail sections of the glider sustained structural damage. The pilot stated in the recommendation block of the enclosed NTSB form 6120.1/2, that this accident could have been prevented if the pilot would have released early when the tow [plane] was not providing adequate speed/acceleration. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37VV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37VV), registered now, S/N 20003 (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: 20003 - Airframe hours: 2277 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Floyd F. Bates - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1997, 36 hours before - Departed: TX23 - Airport: TX23, Faultline Flyers, runway 16, 4,500 × 300 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,365 total, 1,450 in this make and model, 53 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19970729023569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970729023569A), Jul 29, 1997: Schler ASW20, Briggs, TX, Substantial damage. Failed timely release on glider tow due lack of speed. Wing hit tall grass on rwy edge. Glider ground looped. (-23) during auto tow, pilot in command lost… 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.