# NTSB GAA17CA386: Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, N31MX, Ely, NV, July 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2017, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Ely, NV - Coordinates: 39.314998, -114.756942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3150&lon=-114.7569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95505 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA386 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95505/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95505 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA386 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall/spin. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Other: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported that, while maneuvering about 10,000 ft mean sea level he "lost control," and the glider went into a spin, followed by a spiral. He added that he egressed from the glider, deployed his parachute, and was later rescued. The glider impacted terrain and was destroyed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot reported that while maneuvering about 10,000 ft. mean sea level he "lost control" and the glider went into a spin, followed by a spiral. He added that he egressed from the glider, deployed his parachute, and was later rescued. The glider impacted terrain and was destroyed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31MX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31MX-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 31003, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER GMBH & CO ASH 31 MI (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-schleicher-ash-31-mi) (registry code 3801549) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Diamond AE50R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/diamond-ae50r) (registry code 21100, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 31003 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 567 - Engines: Diamond AE50R 56 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2017 - Departed: ELY, ELY, NV - Destination: ELY, ELY, NV - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 12, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,127 total, 362 in this make and model, 3,127 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KELY, 4 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 20170705015259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170705015259A), Jul 5, 2017: Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & Co ASH 31 MI, Ely, NV, Destroyed. The pilot had transitioned from powered flight to gliding mode, and was circling in lift. The aircraft suddenly became divergent from what may have been rotor… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95505. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 268 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.