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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 22, 1997 · Schweizer SGS 1-26E · N600JP

Zionsville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Zionsville, IN
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 1-26E
Tail Number
N600JP
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI97LA271

Witnesses reported that the glider was airborne about 30 minutes before the accident occurred. They reported seeing the glider '...too low and too far away' to make a landing at the airport. The pilot radioed over the UNICOM frequency that he was 'low and in trouble,' and he was advised by one individual over UNICOM to look for a 'suitable field to land in.' Witnesses reported seeing the glider in '... level flight, heading south/southwest...and then made a right turn to the north.' They stated the pilot radioed that he was '...going down...' and during a shallow turn '...the aircraft stalled and spun about 2 times....' The glider impacted at a 70 degree, nose down angle and came to rest inverted. All control cables were intact, and flight control continuity was confirmed. The pilot had 1 hour of flight time in this make and model of glider.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent spin. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in this make and model of glider.

Full Narrative

On August 22, 1997, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26E glider, N600JP, operated by the Central Indiana Soaring Society, was destroyed when it stalled and spun into the ground near Zionsville, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot sustained serious injuries. In his written statement the pilot stated he has "...no memory of the flight or the accident." The pilot said he only remembers "...winding the barograph prior to the flight" and then being in the hospital. Witnesses said the pilot was airborne for approximately 30 minutes before the accident occurred. The accident occurred approximately 1.5 miles northeast of the Terry Airport. Witnesses stated that they saw the glider "...too low and too far away" to make a landing at the airport. It is reported that the pilot then radioed over the Unicom frequency that he was "low and in trouble." The pilot was advised by one individual over Unicom to look for a "suitable field to land in." Witnesses stated that the glider was in "... level flight heading south/southwest...and then made a right turn to the north." According to witnesses, the pilot then radioed that he was "...going down... ." The pilot was advised by a club member to choose a bean field. A witness said that the aircraft "...began a slow, shallow right hand turn, but the aircraft stalled and spun about 2 times... ." According to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the glider impacted at approximately a 70 degree nose down angle and came to rest inverted. All control cables were intact and flight control continuity was confirmed. The pilot had one hour of flight time in this make and model of glider.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportTERRY (2nm NE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS 1-26E
Tail NumberN600JP
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 18 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data