Summary
On May 07, 2011, a Schleicher ASW-27 (N27LX) was involved in an accident near Athens, TN. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in a collision with power lines while making an off-airport landing.
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.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA288. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N27LX.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in a collision with power lines while making an off-airport landing.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA288