# NTSB WPR13CA218: Schleicher ASW-27, N503CW, Middletown, CA, April 12, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 12, 2013, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Middletown, CA - Coordinates: 38.771945, -122.575279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7719&lon=-122.5753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 86813 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86813/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86813 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA218 ## Probable cause The glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a forced landing on rough terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during his return to the airport, the glider encountered heavy downdrafts. Unable to reach the airport, he executed an off-airport landing to a field. During the landing on rough terrain, the glider ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail and wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during his return to the airport, the glider encountered heavy downdrafts. Unable to reach the airport, he elected to execute an off airport landing to a field. During the landing on rough terrain, the glider ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the tailboom and wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N503CW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N503CW), registered now, S/N 27165 (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: 27165 - Airframe hours: 1164 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Glider tow, Part 91 - Operator: Westerinen Charles J - Registered owner: Westerinen Charles J - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 2012 - Departed: Middletown, CA - Destination: Middletown, CA - Airport: Crazy Creek Glider Port ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 5,735 total, 1,166 in this make and model, 5,680 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KSTS, 22 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 20130412007509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130412007509A), Apr 12, 2013: Schleicher ASW-27, Middletown, CA, Substantial damage. Glider was released at 4000 ft. pilot flew until lift began to decrease. Pilot headed back to airport and encourtered heavy downdraft. Was unable to streach… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86813. 703 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 703 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.