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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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March 7, 1987 · Schleicher ASK-21 · N694KS

Plainfield, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Plainfield, IL
Aircraft
Schleicher ASK-21
Tail Number
N694KS
Operator
Windy Sity Soaring
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87DEE06

THE GLIDER PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE TOW PLT RELEASED THE TOW ROPE AT APRX 15' AGL. RPRTDLY, HE RELEASED THE TOW ROPE DUE TO A PERCEIVED LACK OF TAKEOFF & CLIMB PERFORMANCE. AFTER BEING RELEASED, THE GLIDER PLT MADE A RIGHT TURN TO AVOID UNACCEPTABLE TERRAIN AHEAD. WHILE TURNING, THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT THE GROUND & THEN THE GLIDER CRASH LANDED.

Full Narrative

THE GLIDER PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE TOW PLT RELEASED THE TOW ROPE AT APRX 15' AGL. RPRTDLY, HE RELEASED THE TOW ROPE DUE TO A PERCEIVED LACK OF TAKEOFF & CLIMB PERFORMANCE. AFTER BEING RELEASED, THE GLIDER PLT MADE A RIGHT TURN TO AVOID UNACCEPTABLE TERRAIN AHEAD. WHILE TURNING, THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT THE GROUND & THEN THE GLIDER CRASH LANDED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 CST
Nearest AirportCLOW (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchleicher ASK-21
Tail NumberN694KS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWindy Sity Soaring
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt, gusting 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data