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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

March 11, 2007 · Schleicher ASW-27B · N273W

Williams, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Williams, CA
Aircraft
Schleicher ASW-27B
Tail Number
N273W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX07CA104

The glider touched down short of the runway and ground looped during landing. The pilot returned to the airport after he couldn't find any lift. He encountered some sink on his base and final legs. He felt that he didn't retract his spoilers soon enough to prevent his landing just short of the paved runway. The glider ground looped, which broke off the tail boom. The pilot made a recommendation regarding prevention of the accident. He noted that this was an uneventful day, which could lull one into not paying full attention to all phases of flight. The runway was more than long enough to allow him to land 1/4 of the way down the runway, which would have provided a much larger safety margin for his landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude and delay in retracting the spoilers that led to an undershoot, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On March 11, 2007, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-27B, N273W, ground looped during landing at Williams, California. The pilot/owner was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured; the glider sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Williams about 1415. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated in a written report that he returned to the airport after he couldn't find any lift. He encountered some sink on his base and final legs. He felt that he didn't retract his spoilers soon enough to prevent his landing just short of the paved runway. The glider ground looped, which broke off the tail boom. The pilot made a recommendation regarding prevention of the accident. He noted that this was an uneventful day, which could fool one into not paying full attention to all phases of flight. The runway was more than long enough to allow him to land 1/4 of the way down the runway, which would have provided a much larger safety margin for his landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PDT
Nearest AirportWilliams Glider Port (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchleicher ASW-27B
Tail NumberN273W
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data