# NTSB NYC88LA125: Schleicher ASW-20, N34JH, Fairfield, PA, April 9, 1988 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 1988, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, PA - Coordinates: 39.78062, -77.359634 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7806&lon=-77.3596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 36134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36134/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA125 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N34JH TO SEE AND AVOID N311DP. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N34JH TO SEE AND AVOID N311DP. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - normal - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Midair collision, cruise - normal - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N311DP STATED HE SAW N34JH COMING TOWARD HIS GLIDER, SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET HIGHER AND SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. HE WATCHED THE GLIDER PASS BY AND WAS LEVEL AT 3000 FEET MSL AND INDICATING 60 KNOTS. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE AFTER HE SAW N34JH NPAS BY, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND HIS GLIDER PITCHED UP. HIS SPOILERS DEPLOYED AS WELL AS HIS LANDING GEAR. HE RETRACTED HIS SPOILERS AND LANDING GEAR AND LANDED THE GLIDER UNEVENTFULLY. THE GLIDER N34JH WAS SEEN BY A WITNESS SPIRALING TO THE GROUND. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PILOT OF N311DP STATED HE SAW N34JH COMING TOWARD HIS GLIDER, SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET HIGHER AND SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. HE WATCHED THE GLIDER PASS BY AT AN ALT OF 3,000 FT. APRX 30 SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE AFTER HE SAW N34JH PASS BY, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND HIS GLIDER PITCHED UP. HIS SPOILERS DEPLOYED AS WELL AS HIS LANDING GEAR. HE RETRACTED HIS SPOILERS AND LANDING GEAR AND LANDED THE GLIDER UNEVENTFULLY. THE GLIDER, N34JH, WAS SEEN BY A WITNESS SPIRALING TO THE GROUND. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N34JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34JH-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 20354, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20) (registry code 3801506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 20354 - Airframe hours: 415 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter W. Bogie - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1988, 9 hours before - Departed: FAIRFIELD, PA ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N311DP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N311DP), registered now, S/N 20831 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-20c) (registry code 3801502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 20831 - Airframe hours: 203 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David H. Pixton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1987, 41 hours before - Departed: FAIRFIELD, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N34JH; age 67; private; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 731 total, 731 in this make and model, 701 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N311DP; age 42; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 667 total, 203 in this make and model, 633 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 345° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 34 °F ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19880409071571A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880409071571A), Apr 9, 1988: Schler ASW20, Fairfield, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with glider N311DP in flight. Impact broke left wing. Glider fell in a spiral to impact. - [Accident 19880409071572A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880409071572A), Apr 9, 1988: Schler ASW20, Fairfield, PA, Substantial damage. Collided with another glider N34JH that turned into him with its left wing. Landed safely. 34JH fell to ground. 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.