Schleicher ASW 20 accident near Hempstead, TX
On August 23, 2015, a Schleicher ASW 20 (glider) was involved in an accident near Hempstead, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 23, 2015
- Place
- Hempstead, TX
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW 20 · Glider
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 30.112°N, 96.038°W
- NTSB ID
- 20150824X25041
Official records · CEN15LA376
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 23, 2015, about 1337 central daylight time, a Schleicher ASW-20 glider, N878S, impacted powerlines and terrain near Hempstead, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The glider sustained substantial fuselage damage. The glider was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the flight about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Soaring Club of Houston Gliderport, near Waller, Texas about 1254. According to the tow pilot, he was not aware of any issues with the accident glider before departing on the tow. The aero-tow phase of the flight was uneventful and the glider released as expected at 2,000 feet above ground level. The glider was found resting on the ground upright about 15 degrees and 1/4 mile from the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1488 and Laneview Road following a detected power interruption nearby. A powerline there was found damaged. The pilot was flown to a local hospital and subsequently died from the injuries he sustained. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe 67-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a glider rating that was issued on June 9, 2015. He also held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine and multiengine airplane land and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot was issued a Third Class Medical Certificate on March 10, 2011, with limitations to wear corrective lenses for near and d
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an attempted off-airport landing.
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Browse: Texas · 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.
