Schleicher Alexander GMBH & CO ASH 26 E accident near Waynesville, Ohio, August 30, 2024
On August 30, 2024 at about 5:21 pm local time, a 2000 Schleicher Alexander GMBH & CO ASH 26 E (glider), registered N264JM, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Waynesville, Ohio (Caesar Creek Soaring Club airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control on takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 2024 · about 5:21 pm local time
- Place
- Waynesville, Ohio · Caesar Creek Soaring Club · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher Alexander GMBH & CO ASH 26 E, built 2000 · all ASH 26 Es on the register
- Registration
- N264JM · no longer on the register · serial 26171
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 84-year-old pilot was being towed for takeoff in his glider when the accident occurred. According to the tow pilot, the glider became airborne earlier than normal and climbed above and to the left of the tow plane. The glider started pulling the tail of the tow plane up and the tow pilot had to release the glider when they were about 100 to 150 ft above the ground. Witnesses described that the glider pitched up before entering a nose low, left descending turn that continue to ground impact on the grass runway. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The witnesses also stated that the pilot acted and sounded normal before the accident; however, once airborne, his actions were not consistent with his normal flying habits. The witnesses described him as an active glider pilot who was meticulous and very conservative with his flying. Postaccident toxicological testing of blood and liver samples from the pilot detected the drugs Metformin and Pravastatin. These medications are not considered impairing and likely did not pose a hazard to flight or contribute to the accident. An autopsy of the pilot did not detect that he had a medical event that would have contributed to the accident. Since no mechanical or medical issues were identified, the investigation was not able to determine why the pilot lost control on 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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 4,497 hours in all
- Last flight review: July 27, 2024
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,058 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 15, 2023
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Austro AE50R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09/2, 2,800 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from KI68, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KI68 301715Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM CLR 35/22 A3007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on April 1, 2025. 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 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Wreckage Examination Report | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 and Ecf | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA24FA362.