Schleicher ASW-20B N30WK

Summary

On 31 August 2008 at about 19:18 local time, a Schleicher ASW-20B registered N30WK, operated by James Rider, was involved in an accident near Cleburne, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 August 2008 at 19:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Cleburne, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.2769, -97.3133

Aircraft

Schleicher ASW-20B

Registration

N30WK

Category

Glider

Operator

James Rider

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Midlothian → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08LA220

1 person died.

Loss of control inflight for undetermined reason.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While performing a landing into an open field, the glider pilot experienced a loss of control and impacted terrain. An examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anolmalies. A review of the Cambridge Aero Instrument data recording device displayed that after failing to acquire thermal lift, the pilot manuevered for a left base pattern to a grass field. A low level of diphenhydramine, an over the counter sedating antihistamine often known by the trade name Benadryl, was found in the pilot's blood, well below the concentrations normally associated with impairment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.