# NTSB MIA99LA066: Schleicher ASW27, N387T, Winter Haven, FL, January 21, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1999, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Winter Haven, FL
- Coordinates: 27.980739, -81.779479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9807&lon=-81.7795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA066

## Probable cause

an in-flight collision with wires.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,static (cause)

## Analysis

The tow plane had taken the glider to an altitude of between 2,200 and 2,300 feet.  The pilot stated he was over the airport and was going to land.  While on approach, the pilot noted that he would not have enough altitude to land at the airport.  He then attempted to clear a lake and land in a field short of the airport.  As he approached the field, the canopy struck wires and the glider landed in the field.  The pilot was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with a broken bone in his vertebra and a broken rib.

## Factual narrative

On January 21, 1999, about 1400 eastern standard time, an Schleicher ASW27 glider, N387T, registered to a private individual, had an in-flight collision with wires about 1 mile southeast of Winter Haven, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The glider received minor damage.  The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries.  The flight had departed from Winter Haven, about 1350.

The tow plane had taken the glider to an altitude of between 2,200 and 2,300 feet.  The pilot stated he was over the airport and was going to land.  While on approach, the pilot noted that he would not have enough altitude to land at the airport.  He then attempted to clear a lake and land in a field short of the airport.  As he approached the field, the canopy struck wires and the glider landed in the field.  The pilot was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with a broken bone in his vertebra and a broken rib.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N387T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Schleicher ASW27
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 27031
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rudolf W. Mozer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: GIF, Gilbert Field, runway 22, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 4,600 total, 4,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19990121000639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990121000639A), Jan 21, 1999: Schler ASW27, Winterhaven, FL, Substantial damage. 1996 Schleicher ASW-27 glider struck a wire while attempting to land, and the canope and a wing separated. Other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on January…

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.

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