Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & Co ASW 27-18E accident near Ephrata, WA
On June 29, 2009, an Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & Co ASW 27-18E (glider) was involved in an accident near Ephrata, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 29, 2009
- Place
- Ephrata, WA
- Aircraft
- Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & Co ASW 27-18E · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.546°N, 119.587°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090629X04921
Official records · WPR09LA318
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 29, 2009, at 1415 PDT, an Alexander Schleicher GMBH and Company ASW 27-18E glider, N129TD, broke apart in midair while maneuvering in thermal activity approximately 10 miles north of Ephrata, Washington. The private pilot was operating the glider under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot was killed and the glider sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The glider departed from Ephrata Municipal Airport, Ephrata, Washington. According to a glider pilot, the group of gliders was preparing for the 18 Meter Competition. He stated, “While en route and on course heading north from Ephrata Airport, I headed towards two gliders in a thermal at approximately 3,000 feet above the ground and 1-mile ahead. One glider was above the other by approximately 500 feet. While in a tight banked turn, the glider below stalled his aircraft and went into what appeared to be a normal spin. I counted 3-turns in the spin and saw no attempt whatsoever at a recovery. There was nothing unusual about the glider's attitude in the spin. After 3-turns the glider then attained a more nose down attitude and went into a high speed spiral dive. After approximately 2-turns the wing tore off due to the heavy 'G' loads on the aircraft. After the wing departed, the glider increased its speed and dove into the ground at a very high velocity.” According to another glider pilot participating in the competition, “...I saw the glider ahead of me that was maneuvering in what looked like a good thermal
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider during flight and his exceedance of the glider’s design limits during an attempted recovery from a spin.
More accidents in WA
- Dehavilland DHC-3, Sep 4, 2022
- Cessna 208B, Oct 8, 2007
- Cessna 172P, Dec 7, 1991
- Piper PA-32-260, Jul 29, 2001
- Beech A60, Nov 21, 1992
Browse: Washington
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
