Schleicher ASW22 accident near Uvalde, Texas, August 10, 2012
On August 10, 2012 at about 6:05 pm local time, a Schleicher ASW22 (glider), registered OK2227, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) operating) near Uvalde, Texas (Garner Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot did not fully stow the glider’s airbrakes, which prevented the glider from obtaining adequate airspeed during the takeoff roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 10, 2012 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Uvalde, Texas · Garner Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW22 BLE · all ASW22s on the register
- Registration
- OK2227 · no longer on the register · serial 22082
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Using the taxiway as the runway, the pilot of the self-launching motor glider began the takeoff; however, the glider did not gain sufficient airspeed to depart. The pilot elected to continue the ground roll to an overrun area in order to give room for other gliders to depart. The glider impacted a drainage ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the bulkhead and structural mounts for the landing gear. On this type of glider, the wheel braking system is engaged by fully extending the airbrakes. The pilot reported that, after using the wheel brakes during engine start, he may not have fully retracted and stowed the airbrakes before initiating the takeoff.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during standing (engine(s) operating) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Spoilers › Unintentional use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: foreign licence, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: glider; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 8,149 hours in all; 999 in this make and model; 7,987 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 19, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,379 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 20, 2012
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Wankel (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KUVA Uvalde TX
- Destination: KUVA Uvalde TX
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from KUVA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.