Schleicher ASW-27 N27LX

Summary

On 7 May 2011 at about 19:15 local time, a Schleicher ASW-27 registered N27LX was involved in an accident near Athens, Tennessee, 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

7 May 2011 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Athens, Tennessee, United States

Coordinates

35.3978, -84.7564

Aircraft

Schleicher ASW-27

Registration

N27LX

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Air Race/Show

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Benton → Dayton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11CA288

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in a collision with power lines while making an off-airport landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While participating in a soaring competition, the pilot of the glider realized that a layer of high cirrus clouds had moved into the area and had stopped the heating of the ground by the sun. The thermal activity began to get progressively weaker and the pilot began to look for a place to make an off-airport landing. He observed a mowed hay field, did not see any obstructions, and chose it for his landing site. After turning on final approach with the wing flaps and spoilers extended, the glider struck two electrical transmission lines that were running diagonally across the glidepath, about 15 feet above ground level. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wing during the impact with the wires.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.