Schleicher ASH25M N513WK
7 October 2012 · Kamuela, Hawaii, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 7 October 2012 at about 20:30 local time, a Schleicher ASH25M registered N513WK, operated by Woods Woodson K, was involved in an accident near Kamuela, Hawaii, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Kamuela, Hawaii, United States
- Nearest airport
- Waimea-Kohala Airport (PHMU)
- Coordinates
- 20.0008, -155.6675
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASH25M
- Registration
- N513WK
- Category
- Glider
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Woods Woodson K
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Kamuela → Kamuela
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR13LA007
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider after it encountered atmospheric conditions while maneuvering where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain during the subsequent approach to land.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that on the day of the accident the weather was marginal, with low clouds and shifting wind. He took off in the motorized glider and then stowed the engine. About 1 mile northwest of the airport, the pilot realized that the wind was not conducive to convective activity, and the glider started to descend. The pilot turned back toward the airport and extended the engine/propeller to restart the engine; however, the engine would not start. The pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and lowered the landing gear. As the pilot was turning from the downwind to the base leg of the traffic pattern, the left wing of the glider stalled; the glider subsequently impacted the ground and cart-wheeled before coming to a rest in a field. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he believed the accident occurred because "everything happened so fast,” and he was unable to use a checklist.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Apr 2012 | Skykits Usa SAVANNAH ADV | Ookala, Hawaii, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 2 Dec 2012 | Cessna 172S | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | Krall Jose H | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Jun 2012 | Cessna 182R | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | Civil Air Patrol Inc | No injuries | - |
| 3 Mar 2012 | Aerospatiale AS 355F1 | Makakilo City, Hawaii, United States | TGR Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 3 May 2012 | Robinson R22 | Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States | Hawaii Pacific Aviation Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 Feb 2012 | Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO | Dillingham, Hawaii, United States | Hana Hou Air LLC | No injuries | - |