# Accident 20130514008409A: Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, Yadkinville, NC, May 14, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 14, 2013, 15:30 local time
- Place: Yadkinville, NC
- Airport: Bahnson
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.0514° N, 80.5333° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0514&lon=-80.5333&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9860E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9860E-2023-04-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15 (registry code 8050112, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-23h-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-23H-15
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA13CA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA245) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130514008409A

## Narrative

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

PILOT DEPARTED BAHNSON (43NC) AT 1400 EDT, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1HR. 25 MIN. OF SOARING, PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO 43NC. PILOT STATED HE ENCOUNTERED A VERY SIGNIFICANT AREA OF SINK, HE REALIZED THAT A RETURN TO 43NC WAS APPROACHING THE LIMIT OF THE GLIDER CAPABILITY. HE THEN STATED THAT THE BEST DECISION APPEARED TO PICK SOMETHING EASILY REACHABLE, HE SELECTED A FRESHLY CUT HAY FIELD, THERE WERE NO OBSERVED WIRES IN THE AREA. PILOT SET UP FOR A RIGHT PATTERN TO LAND WEST INTO THE WIND, THE PATTERN WAS NORMAL AND AT THE PROPER SPEED. DURING THE TURN TO FINAL THE GLIDERS RIGHT WING STRUCK THE TOP OF A TALL TREE, GLIDER PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND ENTERED OTHER TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE WOODS AND THE OPEN FIELD. GLIDER RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES INCLUDING MINOR BRUISING TO HIS LEFT UPPER ARM AND LEFT THIGH.

## 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 ERA13CA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA245), May 14, 2013: Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15 (N9860E), Yadkinville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper altitude management while maneuvering for an off-airport landing, which resulted in a collision with trees.

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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