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April 26, 2010 · Pzl-Swidnik PW-5 · N500JN

Marana, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Marana, AZ
Aircraft
Pzl-Swidnik PW-5
Tail Number
N500JN
Operator
Tucson Soaring Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10CA215

The glider pilot had been checked out in the glider the day of the accident and it was the first time she had flown this make and model. Approximately two hours into the flight, she smelled a burning rubber smell before all of the electronics ceased operating. She turned back to her departure airport, but due to her lack of experience she was unable to find a thermal and the glider continued to descend. During the forced off-field landing, the glider impacted trees and desert brush. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed that the cable supplying power to the removable data logger was routed improperly and had rubbed against a metal computer port, causing an electrical short and disabling the glide computer, global positioning system, and the vertical speed indicator.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inability to find thermal lift. Contributing to the accident was the failure of a computer that provided glide information and vertical speed instrumentation as a result of an improperly routed electrical cable that caused a short in the electrical system and the pilot's lack of experience in the glider.

Full Narrative

The glider pilot had been checked out in the glider the day of the accident and it was the first time she had flown this make and model. Approximately two hours into the flight, she smelled a rubber burning smell and all of her electronics ceased operating. She initiated a turn back to her departure airport but due to her lack of experience, she was unable to find a thermal and the glider continued to descend. During the forced, off-field landing, the glider impacted trees and desert brush. Post accident examination of the glider revealed that the cable supplying power to the removable data logger was found pinched against a metal computer port. This resulted in an electrical short and disabled the glide computer, global positioning system, and the vertical speed indicator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPzl-Swidnik PW-5
Tail NumberN500JN
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTucson Soaring Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 7 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data