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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 7, 2011 · Schleicher ASW-27 · N27LX

Athens, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Athens, TN
Aircraft
Schleicher ASW-27
Tail Number
N27LX
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA288

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full 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 and 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 glide path, about 15 feet above ground level. During the encounter with the transmission lines, the transmission lines cut into the wing root and landing gear door, broke the main pivot point for the landing gear, broke the canopy, cracked the seat pan, and cracked the aft fuselage approximately halfway back between the trailing edge of the wing and the vertical stabilizer.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchleicher ASW-27
Tail NumberN27LX
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 46
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data