Schleicher ASW 19 accident near Frankton, Indiana, May 15, 2016
On May 15, 2016 at about 8:25 pm local time, a 1976 Schleicher ASW 19 (glider), registered N19VT, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Frankton, Indiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack on final approach in turbulent conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 15, 2016 · about 8:25 pm local time
- Place
- Frankton, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW 19 UNDESIGNAT, built 1976 · all ASW 19s on the register
- Registration
- N19VT · registry record · serial 19033
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the glider reported that due to the lack of thermals, he decided to land on an off-airport field. The pilot further reported about 20 feet above the ground on final approach he encountered turbulence behind obstacles. Subsequently, the glider entered an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude. The right wing, fuselage, and canopy were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any 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
- Turbulence encounter during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Terrain induced turbulence › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 315.1 hours in all; 16.2 in this make and model
- Last flight review: October 15, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,193.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 9, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: I99 Alexandria IN at 5:10 pm
- Destination: I99 Alexandria IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from KTYQ, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 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.
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 GAA16CA244.