Accident
On July 4, 2010, about 1350 central daylight time, an experimental exhibition/air racing Schleicher ASW-20 glider, N82BK, operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged upon impact with high vegetation and terrain near Pocahontas, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated from Highland-Winet Airport, near Highland, Illinois, about 1300.
According to the tow pilot, the glider was towed to an altitude between 1,300 and 1,800 feet above ground level about 1300. The pilot radioed “thanks for the tow” upon release. Radio communications with the glider were attempted about 1400 and were not reestablished. Around 1730, three airplanes went to search for the glider, and it was found about 2000 in a field of high vegetation.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The 62-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. His most recent FAA medical application was dated April 2, 2003, reporting 354 hours of total flight time. According to logbook excerpts provided by his family, the pilot recorded 659 flights with a total flight time of 865 hours 51 minutes. He completed a flight review on June 28, 2009.
The aircraft, N82BK, was a Schleicher ASW-20 glider constructed from glass-reinforced plastic. The last condition inspection was completed on October 24, 2009, at a total airframe time of 1,784 hours.
Meteorological Conditions
At 1355, Scott Air Force Base/MidAmerica Airport (BLV), near Belleville, Illinois, reported wind from 180 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 19,000 feet, temperature 33°C, dew point 22°C, altimeter 29.98 inches of mercury. At 1455, wind was from 180 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 19 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 34°C, dew point 22°C, altimeter 29.96 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage. The left wing’s leading edge was torn about midspan, with corn tassels present in the tear. The cockpit was separated from the fuselage and exhibited rearward crushing. The landing gear was extended. No pre-impact anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operations.
Medical and Toxicological Information
An autopsy by the Bond County Coroner’s Office ruled the manner of death as craniocerebral and thoracic blunt trauma. The autopsy noted a large amount of food and an unidentified pill in the stomach. The pilot was under treatment for diabetes, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, and obstructive sleep apnea, and had taken his medications the morning of the accident. The FAA toxicology report detected ethanol (28 mg/dL in blood cavity, 12 mg/dL in muscle), methanol, n-propanol, acetaminophen, and amphetamine (0.287 ug/ml in blood cavity).
Flight Data
The glider was equipped with a Cambridge Aero Instruments Model 302 Direct Digital Variometer. Despite damage, data were recovered. The data showed the glider reached a peak pressure altitude of about 3,881 feet at 1313. Afterward, the glider did not gain altitude while circling. The final recorded data point at 1349:41 showed a left bank turn; the accident site was about 250 feet north of that point.