Schleicher ASW-20 accident near Williams, CA
On April 14, 2001, a Schleicher ASW-20 (glider) was involved in an accident near Williams, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 14, 2001
- Place
- Williams, CA
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW-20 · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.109°N, 122.269°W
- NTSB ID
- 20010419X00779
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 14, 2001, at 1245 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-20 glider, N47TR, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during initial climb after takeoff on an aero tow at the Williams Glider Port, Williams, California. The commercial pilot with a private pilot-glider rating was fatally injured. The glider was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual flight rules prevailed for the local flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The glider's flight control system was equipped with Hotalier quick disconnect fittings at various locations to facilitate the disassembly of the glider for trailer transport. A witness, who is also the owner of the glider port, stated that he observed the pilot assembling the glider on April 14, 2001, between 1000 and 1100 in the morning. The pilot was the last departing member of a group of gliders, and was scheduled for a 1245 departure. It was observed that he was not in a hurry, and appeared to be taking his time in assembling the glider. The witness did not observe the pilot conduct a flight control check. He stated that the glider did not fly between the time it was assembled and the accident flight at 1245. A close friend and former partner in the glider was interviewed. He was present on the day of the accident and knew the pilot very well. He stated that he and the pilot had purchased the glider a little less than a year prior to the accident. The pilot had flown it over 50 times and had assembled it as many as 25 times. O
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to attach the elevator control rod to the elevator, resulting in a loss of pitch control and subsequent ground impact. Additional factors were the failure to complete a positive control check and the lack of clear guidance in the assembly procedures.
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Browse: California · Schleicher aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
