Schleicher ASW 20 accident near Monroe, Georgia, May 4, 2014
On May 4, 2014 at about 7:45 pm local time, a 1979 Schleicher ASW 20 (glider), registered N777LR, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Monroe, Georgia (Monroe-Walton County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper selection of an off-airport landing site and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees during an off airport landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 2014 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Monroe, Georgia · Monroe-Walton County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW 20, built 1979 · all ASW 20s on the register
- Registration
- N777LR · no longer on the register · serial 20269
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot was practicing cross country maneuvers, but was forced to alter his destination due to weak lifting conditions encountered during the flight. According to the pilot, on his return leg to the departure airport he "started to get low" and began looking for an alternate landing site. While at 1,000 feet agl the pilot proceeded towards a farmer's field to initiate an off-field landing. The pilot stated that he may have initiated a brief turn at the last minute to search for another landing area, but could not recollect any additional events leading up to the accident. The glider impacted trees and subsequently came to rest on the ground about 100 yards south of a tree line. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and empennage section. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of lift during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Last flight review: October 5, 2013
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,822 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 20, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 1,157 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: D73 Monroe GA at 5:00 pm
- Destination: D73 Monroe GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 11 knots, gusting 4
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from KWDR, 12 miles away
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.