Schleicher ASW-27 N27LX accident near Athens, Tennessee

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in a collision with power lines while making an off-airport landing.

NTSB analysis

While participating in a soaring competition, the pilot of the glider realized that a layer of high cirrus clouds had moved into the area and had stopped the heating of the ground by the sun. The thermal activity began to get progressively weaker and the pilot began to look for a place to make an off-airport landing. He observed a mowed hay field, did not see any obstructions, and chose it for his landing site. After turning on final approach with the wing flaps and spoilers extended, the glider struck two electrical transmission lines that were running diagonally across the glidepath, about 15 feet above ground level. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wing during the impact with the wires.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA288 for the full record.