Schleicher ASW-27B accident near Valyermo, California, June 19, 2003
On June 19, 2003 at about 7:32 pm local time, a Schleicher ASW-27B (glider), registered N271EC, was destroyed in an accident near Valyermo, California (Crystal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance altitude and his delayed remedial action by not turning away from the ridge when a lack of lift became apparent..
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2003 · about 7:32 pm local time
- Place
- Valyermo, California · Crystal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schleicher ASW-27B · all ASW-27Bs on the register
- Registration
- N271EC · no longer on the register · serial 27149
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider impacted trees and mountainous terrain while trying to cross a ridgeline. The glider had released from the tow plane about 1 minute prior to the accident. The glider was equipped with a GPS Flight Data Recorder, which recorded the total duration of the flight as 6 minutes 28 seconds. The last data recorded was at an altitude of 5,941 feet mean sea level (msl), the ground speed was 59 mph. The last recorded location of the glider was 2,000 feet laterally, northwest of the accident site. The elevation at the accident site was 5,798 feet msl. No unusual or adverse weather conditions were reported in the vicinity. No preimpact malfunctions or failures were identified during examination of the wreckage. Lower terrain was located to the rear of the pilot's attempted flight track.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 12,389 hours in all; 579 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 12,116 as pilot in command; 5,951 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 8, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 486.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 10, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L01 Llano CA at 7:25 pm
- Destination: 0L7 Jean NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from PMD, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.