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NTSB Report
April 6, 1991 · Schweizer SGS-1-30 · N3620D
Wurtsboro, NY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Wurtsboro, NY
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS-1-30
Tail Number
N3620D
Operator
Wurtsboro Flight Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC91LA102
THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN PITCH ATTITUDE. JUST ABOVE THE TERRAIN, THE NOSE PITCHED UP AND THE LEFT WING FAILED AT THE WING ROOT. THE GLIDER STRUCK TREES, DESCENDING TO THE GROUND. POST CRASH EXAMINATION SHOWED THE WING HAD FAILED IN OVERLOAD. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE WING HAD AN ULTIMATE FAILURE LOAD OF 9.72G. EXAMINATION OF THE GLIDER SHOWED TAPE ON THE TRIM DISCONNECT SYSTEM AND CONTROL STICK. THIS IS A TECHNIQUE USED BY COMPETITION PILOTS TO REDUCE THE CONTROL FORCES. THERE IS A FLIGHT MANUAL LIMITATION AGAINST OPERATING WITH SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 108 MPH WITH THE TRIM DISCONNECTED. FLIGHT TESTING BY THE MANUFACTURER SHOWED THE GLIDER HAD 'NEAR TO NEUTRAL STABILITY' WITH THE TRIM DISCONNECTED.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN INFLIGHT FAILURE OF THE LEFT WING SPAR DUE TO OVERLOAD FROM PILOT INDUCED CONTROL INPUTS, WHILE RECOVERING FROM A DIVE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE, THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY WITH THE TRIM SYSTEM DISCONNECTED AND LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN MAKE AND MODEL OF GLIDER.
Full Narrative
THE GLIDER WAS OBSERVED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN PITCH ATTITUDE. JUST ABOVE THE TERRAIN, THE NOSE PITCHED UP AND THE LEFT WING FAILED AT THE WING ROOT. THE GLIDER STRUCK TREES, DESCENDING TO THE GROUND. POST CRASH EXAMINATION SHOWED THE WING HAD FAILED IN OVERLOAD. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE WING HAD AN ULTIMATE FAILURE LOAD OF 9.72G. EXAMINATION OF THE GLIDER SHOWED TAPE ON THE TRIM DISCONNECT SYSTEM AND CONTROL STICK. THIS IS A TECHNIQUE USED BY COMPETITION PILOTS TO REDUCE THE CONTROL FORCES. THERE IS A FLIGHT MANUAL LIMITATION AGAINST OPERATING WITH SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 108 MPH WITH THE TRIM DISCONNECTED. FLIGHT TESTING BY THE MANUFACTURER SHOWED THE GLIDER HAD 'NEAR TO NEUTRAL STABILITY' WITH THE TRIM DISCONNECTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:20 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchweizer SGS-1-30
Tail NumberN3620D
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWurtsboro Flight Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT