# NTSB MIA05CA075: Schleicher ASW 27, N661T, Clermont, FL, March 10, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 10, 2005, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Clermont, FL - Coordinates: 28.405834, -81.837776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4058&lon=-81.8378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61130 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05CA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61130/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent deploying of the spoilers, while on final approach, resulting in the glider descending and impacting trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - spoiler extension - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated after entering the traffic pattern on the downwind leg he noticed a motor glider on the runway. He continued to descend to land while keeping an eye on it, but allowed himself to get low in the traffic pattern. He compensated by cutting the pattern short. As he approached the edge of the runway he attempted to pull the flaps all the way back to clear some particularly tall trees, but mistakenly pulled the spoiler handle. The glider then impacted with trees. The responding FAA accident inspector stated he found the glider suspended by pine trees, about 30 feet above the ground in about a 60-degree nose low attitude. The tail section was broken away from the fuselage and there was extensive damage to both wings. He found the spoilers deployed and the flaps to be in the fully retracted position. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 2005, at 1400 eastern standard time, ASW-27, Glider, N661T, registered to and operated by a private individual, as aTitle 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while on approach to land at, Seminole Lake Gliderport, Clermont, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries, and the glider incurred substantial damage. The flight originated earlier that day, about 1330. The pilot stated after entering the traffic pattern on the downwind leg he noticed a motor glider on the runway. He continued to descend to land while keeping an eye on it, but allowed himself to get low in the traffic pattern. He compensated by cutting the pattern short. As he approached the edge of the runway he attempted to pull the flaps all the way back to clear some particularly tall trees, but mistakenly pulled the spoiler handle. The glider then impacted with trees. The responding FAA accident inspector stated he found the glider suspended by pine trees, about 30 feet above the ground in about a 60-degree nose low attitude. The tail section was broken away from the fuselage and there was extensive damage to both wings. He found the spoilers deployed and the flaps to be in the fully retracted position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N661T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N661T), registered now, S/N 27151 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schleicher ASW 27 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-27](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-27) (registry code 3801501) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 27151 - Airframe hours: 384.9 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard T Mockler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2004, 101.8 hours before - Departed: 6FLO, Clermont, FL - Destination: Clermont, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 6FLO, Seminole Lake Gliderport, runway 18, 3,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 2, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 6,812 total, 26 in this make and model, 6,736 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: GIF ## 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 20050310003989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050310003989A), Mar 10, 2005: Schler ASW27, Groveland, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) While attempting to land at Seminole lake glider port, clermont, Florida, [privacy data omitted] the pilot of ASW-27, N661T, stated that he observed a… 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.