SOAP LAKE - A 52-year-old New Hampshire man died in a glider crash the afternoon of June 29 about 10 miles northwest of Soap Lake.
     Dead at the scene was Tim Donovan, the lone occupant of the glider.

     UPDATE: Donovan was founder and president of Optimum Manufacturing Corp. located in the Charlestown Economic Development Association park in Charlestown, H.H. The corporation specializes in custom optical components, CNC jig boring and parabolic mirror housings.

     Douglas and Grant counties’ deputies and emergency services were notified of the crash around 3:18 p.m., said Douglas County Undersheriff Don Culp.
     "The original call was relayed to us from Grant County MACC dispatch," said Culp, who said deputies and emergency services were dispatched to the southeast portion of Douglas County.
     A crash site was found in a wheat field in Douglas County near the intersection of county roads 6 S.E. (Highland School Road S.E.) and G S.E. The site was approximately three miles west of the Grant County line and five miles west of Alkali Lake.
     The location of the crash site was uncertain when it was originally reported to MACC dispatch, and Grant County emergency services also were dispatched to try and locate the scene, Culp said.
     The glider was a model ASW 27-18 E manufactured in 2008 by Alexander Schleicher GMBH and Co. It had a small emergency assist engine. The glider was registered to Emerald Eagle LLC of Charlestown, N.H.
     The glider was flying out of Ephrata, Culp said.
     Two other glider pilots who were flying in the same area witnessed the crash. The FAA was notified and responded to the scene to conduct the crash investigation.
     A Douglas County detective traveled to Ephrata to interview the witnesses, who said the glider appeared to stall and started to spiral downward, Culp said. During the fall, the witnesses reported the wings of the glider broke away from the fuselage.
     The glider struck the ground with considerable force, disintegrating the aircraft and killing the pilot on impact, Culp said.
     The pilot's crew chief provided the name of the pilot, who was about 52 years old.
     Further information about the pilot is still pending, Culp said, noting the pilot was removed from the scene by Ballard Ambulance.
     Responding agencies included Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management, Douglas County Fire District No. 8, Grant County Fire District No. 5, Coulee City Fire Department, Grant County Emergency Management and MedStar.


- Prepared by Omak Chronicle staff