Schleicher ASW 19B accident near Avoca, New York, September 7, 2014
On September 7, 2014 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 1983 Schleicher ASW 19B (glider), registered N31GF, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Avoca, New York. 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 decision to attempt a return to his departure airport which resulted in the glider's encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and 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
- September 7, 2014 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Avoca, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW 19B, built 1983 · all ASW 19Bs on the register
- Registration
- N31GF · registry record · serial 19386
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot stated that when he reached his intended destination, lift increased and he decided to fly back to the departure airport. As the glider flew closer to the departure airport, the lift decreased and the glider was about 800 feet above ground level, approximately 10 miles away from the departure airport. The pilot was unable to locate another airport and elected to land in a field. While on final approach for the field, the pilot observed a small hill prior to the field and turned left to avoid a straight-on collision. The left wing subsequently struck the hill and the glider came to rest upright in the field. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the glider. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the left wing, forward fuselage, and tailcone.
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 enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
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 › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › (general) › (general) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 296 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 98 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 12, 2014
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 959 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 28, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: DSV Dansville NY at 6:45 pm
- Destination: 7N1 Corning NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from DSV, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 30, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1 – Glider as It Came to Rest (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.