# NTSB NYC91DGT05: Alexander Schleicher ASW-24, N24SN, Beaver Springs, PA, May 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1991, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Beaver Springs, PA
- Coordinates: 40.739665, -77.219993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7397&lon=-77.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91DGT05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DGT05

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT AS THE RESULT OF A STRONG DOWNDRAFT AND WIND SHIFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PILOT WAS COMPETING IN A SOARING COMPETITION AND WAS DESCENDING ALONG A RIDGE DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  HE 'ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT AND WIND SHIFT TO THE TAIL COMPONENT WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE AND A SUBSEQUENT DESCENT INTO THE TREES.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N24SN (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER ASW-24
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 24029
- Airframe hours: 170
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Andrew R. Mcquigg
- Registered owner: Andrew R. Mcquigg
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1991
- Departed: RVL, REEDSVILLE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 16,000 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910526017859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910526017859A), May 26, 1991: Schler ASW12, Beaver Springs, PA, Substantial damage. Caught in downdraft over a mountain ridge. Struck trees.

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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