# NTSB SEA89LA150: Schleicher ASW-20BL, N300Y, Minden, NV, August 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1989, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.009105, -119.750488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0091&lon=-119.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA150

## Probable cause

MISUNDERSTOOD EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, THE GLIDER PILOT RELEASED FROM THE TOW WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT OF THE GLIDER AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WERE INADEQUATE BEFORE AND DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight control,speed brake - unlocked (cause)
  - spoiler extension - inadvertent (contributing factor)
  - glider/tow release - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, WHILE STILL IN TOW, THE TOW PLT TRANSMITTED TO THE GLIDER. THE GLIDER PLT COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE TRANSMISSION AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER NOTED THAT THE TOW PLANES RUDDER WAS WAGGING. THE GLIDER PLT THOUGHT THAT THE TOW PLT WANTED HIM TO RELEASE. THE GLIDER PLT RELEASED FROM THE TOW AT APRX 100' AGL WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. LATER, THE GLIDER PLT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE REASON FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RUDDER WAG WAS THAT HE WAS BEING NOTIFIED THAT THE SPOILERS HAD DEPLOYED. THE PLT DID NOT CHECK DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION IF THE SPOILERS HAD BEEN LOCKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N300Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW-20BL
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 20658
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Skovgaard, Max O.
- Airport: MEV, Minden, runway 30, 5,289 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 970 total, 510 in this make and model, 915 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890815029909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890815029909A), Aug 15, 1989: Schler ASW20, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. Released tow on initial takeoff and landed hard off airport. Tow plane signaled spoilers deployed not a disconnect.

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.