Schleicher ASW15 accident near Waynesville, Ohio, November 6, 2019
On November 6, 2019 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1972 Schleicher ASW15 (glider), registered N16TD, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Waynesville, Ohio (Caesar Creek Soaring Club airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider pilot's improper approach during landing, which resulted in collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 6, 2019 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Waynesville, Ohio · Caesar Creek Soaring Club · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW15 B, built 1972 · all ASW15s on the register
- Registration
- N16TD · no longer on the register · serial 15217
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was unable to find thermals, so he decided to return to the glider port. During the approach, the glider was lower than he initially planned, so he decided to cut the approach short by crossing directly to the runway and then turn for landing. During the turn, the glider struck trees and impacted terrain. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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
- Miscellaneous/other during approach
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 75 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 36 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 8, 2019
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 960 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 30, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 772 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: 2OH9 Waynesville OH at 8:00 pm
- Destination: 2OH9 Waynesville OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 2,800 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KMGY, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 30, 2020. 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 | Accident Photos | PDF, 2 pages | 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.