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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 2, 1990 · Schweizer SGS 1-26E · N34431

Montevallo, AL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Montevallo, AL
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 1-26E
Tail Number
N34431
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA125

THE PRIVATE GLIDER PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN AEROTOW TAKEOFF UTILIZING A CESSNA 150 AS A TOW PLANE. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE TOW PLANE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. WHEN THE GLIDER PILOT REALIZED THAT THE TOW PLANE HAD ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, HE WAS ALREADY AIRBORNE AND DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RUNWAY LEFT TO LAND. WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT INVESGIATION REVEALED NO MECHANIC MALFUNCTIONS WITH EITHER THE GLIDER OR THE TOW PLANE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE INATTENTIVENESS OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO THE ABORTED TAKEOFF OF THE TOW PLANE, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS DELAYED ACTION IN ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. THESE ACTIONS RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE GLIDER PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN AEROTOW TAKEOFF UTILIZING A CESSNA 150 AS A TOW PLANE. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE TOW PLANE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. WHEN THE GLIDER PILOT REALIZED THAT THE TOW PLANE HAD ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, HE WAS ALREADY AIRBORNE AND DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RUNWAY LEFT TO LAND. WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT INVESGIATION REVEALED NO MECHANIC MALFUNCTIONS WITH EITHER THE GLIDER OR THE TOW PLANE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest AirportFLYINGX (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer SGS 1-26E
Tail NumberN34431
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data