Schleicher ASW-27 N72EM

Summary

On 16 June 2013 at about 20:15 local time, a Schleicher ASW-27 registered N72EM, operated by Culbertson Rick C, was involved in an accident near Elbert, Colorado, 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

16 June 2013 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Elbert, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Kelly Airpark (CO15)

Coordinates

39.2214, -104.6372

Aircraft

Schleicher ASW-27

Registration

N72EM

Category

Glider

Operator

Culbertson Rick C

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Elbert → Elbert

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13CA410

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed return to the airport.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

In a written statement, the pilot said he departed in his glider with an observed thunderstorm approximately 50 miles from the airport. About 2 hours later, after hearing that other glider pilots had returned to the airport due to the approaching storm, he returned as well. During the approach to the airport, it was raining and the wind was gusting to 38 knots. The airplane landed with a left crosswind. During the landing roll, the left wing impacted the ground and the glider ground looped. The glider sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies and stated the accident could have been prevented if he had landed sooner.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.