Schleicher ASG29-15M and Schleicher ASG29-15M mid-air collision near Uvalde, Texas, August 17, 2012
On August 17, 2012 at about 8:20 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Schleicher ASG29-15M (FCIFB) and Schleicher ASG29-15M (D6080), were involved in a mid-air collision near Uvalde, Texas (Garner Field). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider pilot’s inadequate visual lookout and collision avoidance just after joining a thermal in which other gliders were operating, which resulted in a midair collision with another glider.
Inadequate visual lookout and collision avoidance by another glider pilot, who had just joined a thermal in which other gliders were operating, which resulted in a midair collision with the glider.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 17, 2012 · about 8:20 pm local time
- Place
- Uvalde, Texas · Garner Field · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Schleicher ASG29-15M
- Registration
- FCIFB · no longer on the register · serial 29066
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Schleicher ASG29-15M
- Registration
- D6080 · no longer on the register · serial 29641
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Schleicher ASG29-15M final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots of both gliders were engaged in an international gliding competition. The pilot of F-CIFB said he was circling at an altitude of about 6,000 feet mean sea level (msl) when he observed that the pilot of D-6080 was operating in a good “bubble” (thermal) about 325 feet below him. The pilot of F-CIFB maneuvered his glider into the same “bubble” behind D-6080. Shortly thereafter, he heard his glider’s proximity alarm sound "BELOW" and felt an impact. The pilot of D-6080 said he was climbing with several other gliders in a strong thermal when he was struck by F-CIFB from behind. He said he did not see the glider and was unaware of its presence. The collision occurred about 5,700 feet msl. The pilot of D-6080 parachuted to safety. The pilot of F-CIFB landed the glider uneventfully with minor damage to its left wing. The empennage of D-6080 was severed and later found some distance from the main wreckage. Damage was consistent with D-6080 being struck from below and behind by F-CIFB.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Schleicher ASG29-15M final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots of both gliders were engaged in an international gliding competition. The pilot of F-CIFB said he was circling at an altitude of about 6,000 feet mean sea level (msl) when he observed that the pilot of D-6080 was operating in a good “bubble” (thermal) about 325 feet below him. The pilot of F-CIFB maneuvered his glider into the same “bubble” behind D-6080. Shortly thereafter, he heard his glider’s proximity alarm sound "BELOW" and felt an impact. The pilot of D-6080 said he was climbing with several other gliders in a strong thermal when he was struck by F-CIFB from behind. He said he did not see the glider and was unaware of its presence. The collision occurred about 5,700 feet msl. The pilot of D-6080 parachuted to safety. The pilot of F-CIFB landed the glider uneventfully with minor damage to its left wing. The empennage of D-6080 was severed and later found some distance from the main wreckage. Damage was consistent with D-6080 being struck from below and behind by F-CIFB.
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 for the Schleicher ASG29-15M from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 250 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 18, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 150 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 10, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,160 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: KUVA Uvalde TX at 6:00 pm
- Destination: KUVA Uvalde TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 99°F (37°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KUVA, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Schleicher ASG29-15M from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 13,000 hours in all; 3,500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,160 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: KUVA Uvalde TX at 6:30 pm
- Destination: KUVA Uvalde TX
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.