# NTSB WPR14CA213: Schleicher ASW 27, N137ED, Cedar Valley, UT, May 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2014, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Cedar Valley, UT - Coordinates: 40.357223, -112.017776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3572&lon=-112.0178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89289 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89289/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89289 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA213 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in inadvertent terrain contact by the wing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Schleicher ASW-27, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3801501), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while being towed behind a tow airplane for takeoff, there was a slight drop of the right wing. The pilot corrected with aileron control to level the wings and at this point, the left wing may have come in contact with the grass on the runway, which provided enough drag to turn the glider 180 degrees to the left. During the turn, the safety link released. The glider then rolled backwards before coming to rest. Postaccident examination of the left wing revealed that the left aileron was substantially damaged and had separated from its mounts in the wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while being towed behind a tow airplane for takeoff, there was a slight drop of the right wing. The pilot corrected with aileron control to level the wings and at this point, the left wing may have come in contact with the grass on the runway, which provided enough drag to turn the glider 180 degrees to the left. During the turn, the safety link released. The glider then rolled backwards before coming to rest. Postaccident examination of the left wing revealed that the left aileron was substantially damaged and had separated from its mounts in the wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N137ED](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N137ED), registered now, S/N 27102, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLEICHER ASW 27 - Registry model: [Schleicher ASW-27](https://openairdocs.org/model/schleicher-asw-27) (registry code 3801501) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 27102 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 627 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Urbanczyk Kirk M - Registered owner: Urbanczyk Kirk M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2014 - Departed: UT10, Cedar Valley, UT - Destination: UT10, Cedar Valley, UT - Airport: UT10, Cedar Valley, runway 17, 5,000 × 75 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 19,800 total, 94 in this make and model, 127 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 17 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89289. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413502&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Damaged Aileron (item 2, .PDF, 576 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413503&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Damaged%20Aileron%0D%0A-Master.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.