OK-2227 – SCHLEICHER ASW22 – 2012-08-10 NTSB Accident Report

On August 10, 2012, a Schleicher ASW22 (OK-2227) was involved in an incident near Uvalde, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot did not fully stow the glider’s airbrakes, which prevented the glider from obtaining adequate airspeed during the takeoff roll.

The pilot prepared the self-launching motor glider for takeoff by extending the airbrakes; this also engaged the wheel braking system. Using the taxiway as the runway, the pilot then proceeded down the taxiway for takeoff; however, the glider did not gain sufficient airspeed to depart. The pilot elected to continue the ground roll to an overrun area, in order to give room for other gliders to depart. The glider impacted a drainage ditch before coming to a stop. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the bulkhead and structural mounts for the landing gear. The pilot reported that he may not have had the airbrakes retracted and stowed for the takeoff, after releasing the brake.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN12CA548. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft OK-2227.