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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 15, 1989 · Schleicher ASW-20BL · N300Y

Minden, NV

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Minden, NV
Aircraft
Schleicher ASW-20BL
Tail Number
N300Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA150

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 PDT
Nearest AirportMINDEN (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length5289 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchleicher ASW-20BL
Tail NumberN300Y
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data