# NTSB WPR24LA216: Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, N517PB, Parowan, UT, June 24, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 24, 2024, 11:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Parowan, UT · Open field near airport - Coordinates: 37.84895, -112.81118 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8490&lon=-112.8112&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 194591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194591/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194591 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA216 ## Probable cause The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain?flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3801549), [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: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a powered glider reported that, after the engine had been shut down and the propeller stowed, he encountered more downdrafts?than expected. The glider did not have sufficient altitude to reach the airport or to re-deploy the engine. During the forced landing on rough terrain, a wing impacted vegetation and ground looped, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N517PB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N517PB), registered now, S/N 31175, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER GMBH & CO ASH 31 MI - Registry model: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-schleicher-ash-31-mi) (registry code 3801549) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Austro IAE-50R-AA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/austro-iae-50r-aa) (registry code 06401, rotary) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 31175 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 567 - Engines: Austro Engine AE50R 55 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ketcham James S and Barbara S Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 2023 - Departed: 1L9, Parowan, UT - Airport: 1L9, Parowan Airport, runway 04, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Data recorder, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2024; seat: single; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KCDC, 16 nm away - METAR: KCDC 241753Z AUTO 29009KT 10SM FEW100 32/07 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP113 T03220067 10328 20206 58006 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194591. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17354234&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17353487&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MoR-%20James%20Ketcham-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 396 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17354632&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.