# NTSB NYC04LA182: Schleicher ASW-27, N127FP, Windsor, VA, July 31, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2004, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Windsor, VA
- Coordinates: 36.856109, -76.681945
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8561&lon=-76.6819&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59814/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA182

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of a navigation aid, which resulted in him becoming lost, and having to perform a forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, landing
  - navigation receiver - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

As the pilot was attempting to return to the airport after a soaring flight, he could not visually obtain it.  The pilot then attempted to use GPS data to locate the airport, but another airport was mistakenly selected in the GPS unit.  As the altitude of the glider continued to decay, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field.  Upon touching down in the field, the glider encountered a ditch, and came to rest upright.

## Factual narrative

On July 31, 2004, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-27 glider, N127FP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while approaching the Garner Airport (3VA8), Windsor, Virginia.  The certificated private pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he was attempting to return to the Garner Airport after a soaring flight; however, he could not visually obtain it.  The pilot then attempted to use GPS data to locate the airport; however, another airport was mistakenly selected in the GPS unit.  As the pilot continued to locate the airport, the altitude of the glider continued to decay, and he elected to perform a forced landing to a field.  Upon touching down in the field, the glider encountered a ditch, and came to rest upright.

The winds reported at a nearby airport were from 160 degrees at 10, gusting to 16 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127FP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N127FP), registered now, S/N 27065 (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: 27065
- Airframe hours: 403
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert F. Atherton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2004
- Departed: 3VA8, Windsor, VA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: serious; recreational; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 6,382 total, 283 in this make and model, 5,694 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: FKN, 10 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 20040731031079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040731031079A), Jul 31, 2004: Schler ASW27, Windsor, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was returning to land after a flight of approximately 40 minutes. At 1000', he was not certain that he could clear the…

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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