Schleicher ASW-20 N789E
26 September 1992 · Middletown, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 26 September 1992 at about 20:31 local time, a Schleicher ASW-20 registered N789E, operated by David C. Petersen, was involved in an accident near Middletown, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:31
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Middletown, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.7794, -122.5794
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW-20
- Registration
- N789E
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- David C. Petersen
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Middletown → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX92LA400
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CONNECT THE ELEVATOR CONTROL DURING ASSEMBLY AND FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT CHECK. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS DISTRACTION BY PERFORMING OTHER TASKS DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT FAILED TO CONNECT THE ELEVATOR CONTROL MECHANISM DURING ASSEMBLY AND WAS DISTRACTED BY PERFORMING OTHER TASKS. THE PILOT DID NOT PERFORM A POSITIVE FLIGHT CONTROL CHECK PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD NO ELEVATOR CONTROL, LOST AIRCRAFT CONTROL, AND DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schleicher ASW-20 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Apr 1991 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Julian, California, United States | Ronald G. Rutiz | No injuries | - |
| 14 Aug 1994 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Ionia, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 May 1996 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Sparks, Nevada, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 Apr 1988 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Fairfield, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 29 Jul 1997 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Briggs, Texas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 1986 | Schleicher ASW-20 | Ionia, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1992 | Piper PA-28R-201T | Ludlow, California, United States | Higgins, Melvin W & Jean | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Feb 1992 | Beechcraft C-23 | Fullerton, California, United States | Eldon R. Howe | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 150 | San Jose, California, United States | Veda Corporation | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 182N | San Ardo, California, United States | Soil Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Grumman G-164B | Dixon, California, United States | Sunrise Duster, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Bellanca 7ECA | Apple Valley, California, United States | Chester Waite | Serious injuries | - |