# NTSB LAX08CA136: A. Schleicher ASW 27-18, N8829A, Peoria, AZ, May 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2008, 15:59 local (22:59 UTC) - Place: Peoria, AZ - Coordinates: 33.811943, -112.253334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8119&lon=-112.2533&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68027 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68027/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude while on final approach to land. A factor contributing to the accident was a downdraft. ## 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: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3801538), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=3801538), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=3801538), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3801538), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis At the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the glider pilot arrived at his intended destination and entered a normal left-hand traffic pattern to runway 23R. The pilot reported that he observed the wind conditions on the downwind and base legs, and he maintained a normal traffic pattern. The wind was from 190 degrees at 10 knots. The initial approach to the runway was normal. However, the pilot said that on short final approach he suddenly encountered a "very heavy downward sink, accompanied by a sharp drop in IAS [indicated air speed]." The pilot responded by retracting the wing spoilers and adjusting the glider's pitch to maintain the requisite approach speed. The downdraft continued, and despite the performance capabilities of his glider the pilot was unable to glide to the runway. The pilot turned to avoid a set of power lines, and a wing contacted the ground. The glider touched down hard on the flat open terrain several hundred yards short of the threshold. ## Factual narrative At the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the glider pilot arrived at his intended destination and entered a normal left-hand traffic pattern to runway 23R. The pilot reported that he observed the wind conditions on the downwind and base legs, and he maintained a normal traffic pattern. The wind was from 190 degrees at 10 knots. The initial approach to the runway was normal. However, the pilot said that on short final approach he suddenly encountered a "very heavy downward sink, accompanied by a sharp drop in IAS [indicated air speed]." The pilot responded by retracting the wing spoilers and adjusting the glider's pitch to maintain the requisite approach speed. The downdraft continued, and despite the performance capabilities of his glider the pilot was unable to glide to the runway. The pilot turned to avoid a set of power lines, and a wing contacted the ground. The glider touched down hard on the flat open terrain several hundred yards short of the threshold. As the glider came to a stop, the fuselage severed in front of the vertical fin, the horizontal stabilizer broke in half, and the fuselage was deformed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8829A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8829A), registered now, S/N 29034, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: A. Schleicher GMBH & Co. ASW 27-18 - Registry model: [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-schleicher-asw-27-18) (registry code 3801538) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 29034 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ted C. Wagner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: A20, Bullhead City, AZ - Destination: P48, Peoria, AZ - Airport: P48, Pleasant Valley, runway 23R, 4,200 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 2; flight hours: 780 total, 32 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 20080511841909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080511841909A), May 11, 2008: Schler ASW2718, Peoria, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot had completed cross country flight from sun valley, AZ (south of bullhead city, AZ) to Pleasant Valley Airport, Peoria, AZ. He states he entered… ## Other investigations on N8829A (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN10LA459](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA459), Aug 4, 2010: Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 (N8829A), Batesville, TX, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: Both glider pilots' inability to see and avoid the other resulting in a mid-air collision. 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.