History of Flight
On June 3, 2015, at approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Schleicher ASW 27-18E glider, registration N297JS, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances about 1.5 miles east of Lamy, New Mexico. The private pilot, who was also the owner and operator, was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The glider originated from Moriarty Airport, Moriarty, New Mexico, at an unconfirmed time.
A witness, who was a pilot in another glider and part of a group of about 15 gliders conducting a cross-country flight, reported observing the accident glider in an unusual attitude but did not witness the impact. The wreckage was located on June 4, 2015, at about 1525.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certification database indicated that the pilot had never applied for aeromedical certification. No flight logbooks were recovered, and the pilot's total flight experience was unknown.
Aircraft Information
The glider was a single-seat powered glider constructed of fiber-reinforced composites. It was equipped with a SOLO model 2350 engine rated at 18 kilowatts (24 horsepower) for in-flight sustainment but not for self-launch. Maintenance records were not recovered.
Meteorological Information
Weather recorded at Santa Fe Municipal Airport, approximately 16 miles northwest of the accident site, included wind from 250 degrees at 8 knots, clear skies, temperature 28°C, dew point -12°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The glider came to rest at coordinates 35.481°N, 105.856°W. The wreckage was fragmented, with the largest piece measuring about 5 feet in length. The control system was also fragmented, and while a comprehensive examination was not possible, no evidence of a pre-impact failure was noted.
Medical and Pathological Information
The 73-year-old male pilot had never applied for an aviation medical certificate. According to personal medical records, he had severe coronary artery disease with 100% occlusion of the right coronary artery (diagnosed 2005), metastatic prostate cancer (diagnosed 2009), hypertension, high cholesterol, allergies, and a history of an abnormal glucose tolerance test. In July 2014, he experienced a stroke thought to be related to atrial fibrillation; however, an implanted loop recorder had not identified frequent episodes of any arrhythmia in the subsequent 10 months. His medications included bicalutamide, enalapril, lovastatin, Wal-Zyr, amlodipine, and clopidogrel. No internal autopsy or toxicology testing was performed.