Schleicher ASK-13 N11EK

Summary

On 4 August 1996 at about 19:30 local time, a Schleicher ASK-13 registered N11EK was involved in an accident near Thompsonville, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 August 1996 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Thompsonville, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Thompsonville (7Y2)

Coordinates

44.5206, -85.9303

Aircraft

Schleicher ASK-13

Registration

N11EK

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Frankfort

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI96LA279

Nobody was injured.

an evasive maneuver necessitated by the tow plane's aborted takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said that 'just after the tow plane rotated for takeoff, the pilot (of the tow plane) pulled power. The glider quickly gained on the tow plane.' The pilot did not believe that he could land behind the tow plane. 'I released (the tow cable) and turned to the right over an open field of tall weeds. I leveled off (and) made a course correction which realigned me with the runway. (I) used the altitude we had to gain as much airspeed as possible and flew across the weed field until finally settling into the tall weeds. The horizontal plane surface and the left wing were struck by rotten stumps hidden by the weeds.' The tow plane pilot said that the airplane was not developing full power and he decided to abort the takeoff. Examination of the tow plane revealed no anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.