# Accident 20070331012949A: Szd SZD36A, Sylacauga, AL, March 31, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 31, 2007, 15:30 local time
- Place: Sylacauga, AL
- Airport: Merkel Field Sylacauga Municipal
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.1697° N, 86.3033° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1697&lon=-86.3033&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6SZ, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6SZ-2017-06-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Szybowcowy Zaklad Doswiadczaln SZD-36-A (registry code 8821636, https://openairdocs.org/model/szybowcowy-zaklad-doswiadczaln-szd-36-a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SZD SZD36A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 721 total, 36 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL07LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA066) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070331012949A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) BOTH WINGS SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT DURING A PERSONAL/PROFICIENCY FLIGHT IN AN UNPOWERED GLIDER AT THE SYLACAUGA, ALABAMA AIRPORT (SCD). SUBSEQUENTLY, CRASHING INTO A ROCK QUARRY, APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT AND LONE OCCUPANT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL07LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA066), Mar 31, 2007: Szybowcowy Zaklad Do SZD-36A (N6SZ), Sylacauga, AL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper installation of the left wing attachment pin, which allowed it to disengage during cruise flight, resulting in wing separation.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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