# NTSB LAX97LA258: Centrair ASW20F, N120MJ, Minden, NV, July 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1997, 17:08 local (Jul 25, 1997, 00:08 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 39.010494, -119.7509 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0105&lon=-119.7509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29850 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29850/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA258 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision and subsequent encounter with gusty winds and strong downdrafts, which precluded reaching the airport and induced an unrecoverable high sink rate during an off-airport landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - turbulence,terrain induced (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command - flare - not attained ## Analysis The pilot of a glider said that as he was returning to the airport, he encountered strong turbulence and downdrafts, and concluded that he would not be able to safely reach the runway. He selected a field, and as he got closer, realized that he had too much energy for a straight-in approach and not enough for a pattern. The pilot said he then deployed some drag devices and began making S-turns. Reportedly, the glider encountered a downdraft and touched down hard with a very high sink rate. Ground witnesses reported that very gusty winds existed at the time of the landing. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the glider and noted that no discrepancies were found. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 1997, at 1708 hours Pacific daylight time, a Centrair ASW20F glider, N120MJ, collided with the ground while attempting to land in a field about 8 miles south of the Minden, Nevada, airport. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was participating in a race competition event. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The glider sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, incurred serious injuries. The flight originated from Minden on the day of the accident at 1332 for the closed circuit time over distance competition. In his written statement, the pilot said that as he was returning to Minden he encountered strong turbulence and downdrafts, and concluded he would not be able to safely reach the airport. He selected a field, and, as he got closer, realized that he had too much energy for a straight-in and not enough for a pattern. The pilot said he then deployed some drag devices and began making S-turns. The glider encountered a downdraft and touched down hard with a very high sink rate. Ground witnesses reported that very gusty winds existed at the time of the landing. An Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the glider and noted that no discrepancies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N120MJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120MJ-2011-07-19), registration cancelled 2011-07-19, S/N 20188 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Centrair ASW20F - Registry model: [Centrair ASW20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/centrair-asw20f) (registry code 1990201) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 20188 - Airframe hours: 1978 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael I. Green - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1997, 55 hours before - Departed: MEV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center; flight hours: 1,702 total, 1,015 in this make and model, 1,620 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 50 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 19970724045749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970724045749A), Jul 24, 1997: Schler ASW20F, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 24, 1997, at 1708 hours pacific daylight time, a centrair ASW20F glider, N120MJ, collided with the ground while attempting to land in a field… 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.