Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & ASH 31 MI N77UK

Summary

On 13 April 2026 at about 17:51 local time, a Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & ASH 31 MI registered N77UK was involved in an accident near Williams, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

13 April 2026 at 17:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Williams, California, United States

Nearest airport

Williams Gliderport (CN12)

Coordinates

39.1635, -122.1316

Aircraft

Alexander Schleicher Gmbh & ASH 31 MI

Registration

N77UK

Category

Glider

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR26LA158

1 person had minor injuries.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On April 13, 2026, about 1051 Pacific standard time, an experimental Alexander Schleicher GMBH and Co., Ash 31 Mi Glider, N77UK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Williams, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed from Williams Gliderport (CN12), Williams, California, in the self-launching motorglider. During climbout, about 200 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot verified that the emergency fuel pump was on and then reviewed his landing options. There were power lines straight ahead, so he opted to perform a right turn back to the runway. However, during the turn, the right wingtip struck terrain. Subsequently, the glider’s nose and main gear impacted a plowed field and resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Witnesses located at the airport reported observing the glider depart uneventfully until it passed behind a hangar and was no longer visible. Shortly thereafter, the witnesses observed the glider again in a steep right turn. The glider was recovered for further examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.