Schleicher ASW-27B accident near Valyermo, CA
On June 19, 2003, a Schleicher ASW-27B (glider) was involved in an accident near Valyermo, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 19, 2003
- Place
- Valyermo, CA
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW-27B · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.410°N, 117.808°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030702X01012
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 19, 2003, at 1232 Pacific daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-27B glider, N271EC, collided with terrain while competing in a glider contest near Valyermo, California. The owner/pilot was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries; the glider was destroyed. The personal cross-country flight departed Crystal Airport (46CN) Llano, California, at 1225, and was en route to Jean, Nevada. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was located at 34 degrees 24 minutes north latitude and 117 degrees 48 minutes west longitude. The accident glider was 1 of 25 gliders competing in the "Return to Kitty Hawk" contest. The glider was towed to the area of Pinion Ridge where the accident pilot released from the tow plane. The tow release point was located about 4 miles southeast of 46CN. No further contact was made with the pilot. The glider ground crew reported the glider missing after he failed to arrive at his destination, Jean. A search for the glider was initiated from 46CN about 1715. The wreckage was located at 1730, about 1/2 mile southeast of the point where the glider released from the tow plane. All of the other gliders competing in the contest released in the general area of Pinion Ridge without incident. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed the pilot held a airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine land ratings, and co
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance altitude and his delayed remedial action by not turning away from the ridge when a lack of lift became apparent..
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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.
