A Schleicher Gmbh & ASW 27-18 N8829A

Summary

On 11 May 2008 at about 22:59 local time, a A Schleicher Gmbh & ASW 27-18 registered N8829A was involved in an accident near Peoria, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 May 2008 at 22:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Peoria, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Pleasant Valley (P48)

Coordinates

33.8119, -112.2533

Aircraft

A Schleicher Gmbh & ASW 27-18

Registration

N8829A

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bullhead City → Peoria

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX08CA136

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude while on final approach to land. A factor contributing to the accident was a downdraft.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

At the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the glider pilot arrived at his intended destination and entered a normal left-hand traffic pattern to runway 23R. The pilot reported that he observed the wind conditions on the downwind and base legs, and he maintained a normal traffic pattern. The wind was from 190 degrees at 10 knots. The initial approach to the runway was normal. However, the pilot said that on short final approach he suddenly encountered a "very heavy downward sink, accompanied by a sharp drop in IAS [indicated air speed]." The pilot responded by retracting the wing spoilers and adjusting the glider's pitch to maintain the requisite approach speed. The downdraft continued, and despite the performance capabilities of his glider the pilot was unable to glide to the runway. The pilot turned to avoid a set of power lines, and a wing contacted the ground. The glider touched down hard on the flat open terrain several hundred yards short of the threshold.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.