A. Schleicher GMBH & Co. ASW 27-18 accident near Peoria, Arizona, May 11, 2008
On May 11, 2008 at about 10:59 pm local time, a A. Schleicher GMBH & Co. ASW 27-18 (glider), registered N8829A, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Peoria, Arizona (Pleasant Valley 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 pilot's misjudged distance and altitude while on final approach to land. A factor contributing to the accident was a downdraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2008 · about 10:59 pm local time
- Place
- Peoria, Arizona · Pleasant Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- A. Schleicher GMBH & Co. ASW 27-18
- Registration
- N8829A · registry record · serial 29034
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
At the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the glider pilot arrived at his intended destination and entered a normal left-hand traffic pattern to runway 23R. The pilot reported that he observed the wind conditions on the downwind and base legs, and he maintained a normal traffic pattern. The wind was from 190 degrees at 10 knots. The initial approach to the runway was normal. However, the pilot said that on short final approach he suddenly encountered a "very heavy downward sink, accompanied by a sharp drop in IAS [indicated air speed]." The pilot responded by retracting the wing spoilers and adjusting the glider's pitch to maintain the requisite approach speed. The downdraft continued, and despite the performance capabilities of his glider the pilot was unable to glide to the runway. The pilot turned to avoid a set of power lines, and a wing contacted the ground. The glider touched down hard on the flat open terrain several hundred yards short of the threshold.
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
- Landing area undershoot during landing defining event
- Hard landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 780 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: A20 Bullhead City AZ at 8:00 pm
- Destination: P48 Peoria AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23R, 4,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N8829A the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.