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NTSB Report
July 23, 1989 · Schweizer SGS 1-26E · N65943
Alabaster, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Alabaster, AL
Aircraft
Schweizer SGS 1-26E
Tail Number
N65943
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA184
THE GLIDER PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER ENCOUNTERING T-STORMS THAT HAD MOVED INTO THE AREA. HE SUBSEUQNETLY ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LDG. DURING THE LDG, THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND SUSTAINED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING. THE PLT ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT TO COMPLACENCY AND POOR JUDGEMENT: HE STATED THAT HE WAS COMPLACENT ABOUT THE WX EVEN THOUGH SCATTERED T-STORMS HAD BEEN PREDICTED. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT HE USED POOR JUDGEMENT BY FAILING TO EXPEDITE HIS RETURN TO THE AIRPORT WHEN HE FIRST OBSERVED THE STORM.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE GLIDER PILOT'S POOR EVALUATION OF AREA WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE FLIGHT, WHICH NECESSITATED AN OFF-AIRPORT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND LED TO A COLLISION WITH ROUGH TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA, THE PILOT'S COMPLACENCY REGARDING AREA WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH EXISTED AT THE LANDING SITE.
Full Narrative
THE GLIDER PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER ENCOUNTERING T-STORMS THAT HAD MOVED INTO THE AREA. HE SUBSEUQNETLY ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LDG. DURING THE LDG, THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND SUSTAINED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING. THE PLT ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT TO COMPLACENCY AND POOR JUDGEMENT: HE STATED THAT HE WAS COMPLACENT ABOUT THE WX EVEN THOUGH SCATTERED T-STORMS HAD BEEN PREDICTED. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT HE USED POOR JUDGEMENT BY FAILING TO EXPEDITE HIS RETURN TO THE AIRPORT WHEN HE FIRST OBSERVED THE STORM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchweizer SGS 1-26E
Tail NumberN65943
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 12 kt
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO