Glider Impacted Terrain On The Leeward Side Of The Mountain At About The 8,800 Ft Level

Location: Ely, NV Accident Number: WPR20LA216
Date & Time: 07/11/2020, 1500 PDT Registration: N167TM
Aircraft: Schleicher ASW27 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On July 11, 2020, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, an Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 glider, N167TM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ely, Nevada. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

According to the tow pilot, after takeoff at 1119, he released the accident glider at an altitude of 7,800 ft mean sea level (msl) about 2 miles south of Ely Airport (ELY). About 10 minutes later he heard radio traffic that the accident pilot was climbing to 9,000 ft msl. The tow pilot stated that about 1540 he heard that a glider was down, and between 1600 to 1645 he flew over the wreckage, which was located on top of the Schell Creek Mountain, located about 5 nautical miles east of ELY.

An initial assessment of the accident site by local law enforcement personnel revealed that the glider had impacted terrain on the leeward side of the mountain at about the 8,800 ft level. Initial impact was with the right wing tip on a northeasterly heading. All components necessary for flight appeared to have been accounted for at the accident site.

The wreckage will be recovered to a secured storage facility for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov