Schleicher ASW-20BL N300Y

Summary

On 15 August 1989 at about 21:05 local time, a Schleicher ASW-20BL registered N300Y was involved in an accident near Minden, Nevada, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 August 1989 at 21:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Minden, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Minden (MEV)

Coordinates

39.0091, -119.7505

Aircraft

Schleicher ASW-20BL

Registration

N300Y

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA89LA150

Nobody was injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.