# NTSB WPR26LA158: Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, N77UK, Williams, CA, April 13, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: April 13, 2026, 10:51 local (17:51 UTC)
- Place: Williams, CA
- Coordinates: 39.163502, -122.13164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1635&lon=-122.1316&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA158
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA158

## Preliminary report

On April 13, 2026, about 1051 Pacific standard time, an experimental Alexander Schleicher GMBH and Co., Ash 31 Mi Glider, N77UK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Williams, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed from Williams Gliderport (CN12), Williams, California, in the self-launching motorglider. During climbout, about 200 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot verified that the emergency fuel pump was on and then reviewed his landing options. There were power lines straight ahead, so he opted to perform a right turn back to the runway. However, during the turn, the right wingtip struck terrain. Subsequently, the glider’s nose and main gear impacted a plowed field and resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Witnesses located at the airport reported observing the glider depart uneventfully until it passed behind a hangar and was no longer visible. Shortly thereafter, the witnesses observed the glider again in a steep right turn. The glider was recovered for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: 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)
- [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=3801549), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77UK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77UK), registered now, S/N 31088, built 2013 (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: [Diamond AE50R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/diamond-ae50r) (registry code 21100, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 31088
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 1060
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 17, 2026
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: CN12, Williams Gliderport, runway 34, 2,500 × 40 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KBAB, 33 nm away
- METAR: METAR KBAB 131755Z 35009KT 10SM SCT024 16/08 A3011 RMK AO2A SLP199 T01570075 10157 20078 51006 $

## 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 20260413003419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260413003419A), Apr 13, 2026: Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & Co ASH 31 MI, Williams, CA, Substantial damage. On April 13th 2026, a mototglider self-launched from CN12 after having maintenance completed and experienced power loss at 200 AGL. Pilot elected to return to…

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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