# NTSB GAA16CA244: Schleicher ASW 19, N19VT, Frankton, IN, May 15, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 15, 2016, 16:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Frankton, IN
- Coordinates: 40.209445, -85.808609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2094&lon=-85.8086&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93202/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93202
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA244

## Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack on final approach in turbulent conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801508), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=3801508), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=3801508), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=3801508), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=3801508), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3801508), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-19, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801508), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the glider reported that due to the lack of thermals, he decided to land on an off-airport field. The pilot further reported about 20 feet above the ground on final approach he encountered turbulence behind obstacles. Subsequently, the glider entered an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude. The right wing, fuselage, and canopy were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the glider reported that due to the lack of thermals, he decided to land on an off-airport field. The pilot further reported about 20 feet above the ground on final approach he encountered turbulence behind obstacles. Subsequently, the glider entered an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude. The right wing, fuselage, and canopy were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19VT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19VT-2017-01-11), registration cancelled 2017-01-11, S/N 19033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW 19 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-19) (registry code 3801508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 19033
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 1193.7
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2016
- Departed: I99, ALEXANDRIA, IN
- Destination: I99, ALEXANDRIA, IN
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 315.1 total, 16.2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: KTYQ, 26 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 20160515009629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160515009629A), May 15, 2016: Schleicher ASW-19, Frankton, IN, Substantial damage. On may 15, 2016, about 1600 eastern daylight time (EDT) (2000Z), a Schleicher ASW-19, N19VT, made an unplanned landing in a cornfield near Frankton, Indiana.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93202. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 909 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441333&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441334&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.

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