# NTSB GAA20CA073: Schleicher ASW15, N16TD, Waynesville, OH, November 6, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 6, 2019, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Waynesville, OH - Coordinates: 39.476665, -84.093887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4767&lon=-84.0939&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100560/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100560 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA073 ## Probable cause The glider pilot's improper approach during landing, which resulted in collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-15B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=38015H2), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-15B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=38015H2), [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. - [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-15B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=38015H2), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-15B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=38015H2), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-15B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=38015H2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was unable to find thermals, so he decided to return to the glider port. During the approach, the glider was lower than he initially planned, so he decided to cut the approach short by crossing directly to the runway and then turn for landing. During the turn, the glider struck trees and impacted terrain. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 he was unable to find thermals, so he decided to return to the glider port. During the approach, the glider was lower than he initially planned and decided to cut the approach short by crossing directly to the runway, then turn for landing. During the turn, the glider struck trees and impacted terrain. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on an airport, about 9 nm away, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 190° at 8 knots. The pilot reported the wind was 130°, light and variable. The pilot attempted to land runway 09. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16TD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16TD-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N 15217, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schleicher ASW15 (B) - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-15B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-15b) (registry code 38015H2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 15217 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 960 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 2019 - Departed: 2OH9, Waynesville, OH - Destination: 2OH9, Waynesville, OH - Airport: 2OH9, Caesar Creek Soaring Club, runway 09, 2,800 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; last flight review October 8, 2019; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 75 total, 10 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: KMGY, 9 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 20191106023389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191106023389A), Nov 6, 2019: Schleicher ASW-15B, Waynesville, OH, Substantial damage. On Wednesday, November 06, 2019, at approximately 1500 EDT, an experimental Schleicher glider, registration n-number N16TD, was involved in an accident when it… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100560. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 510 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.