# Accident 20250719010259A: Pzl-Swidnik PW-5, Waller, TX, July 19, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 19, 2025, 19:36 local time
- Place: Waller, TX
- Airport: Soaring Club Of Houston
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.5084° N, 102.3921° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5084&lon=-102.3921&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4426Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4426Z-2026-09-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Pzl-Swidnik PW-5 (registry code 9810150, https://openairdocs.org/model/pzl-swidnik-pw-5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL-SWIDNIK PW-5
- Reported engine: NONE NONE
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 20,000 total, 22 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN25LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA271) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250719010259A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTING GLIDER OPERATIONS WHEN THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT RUNWAY. THE PILOT COMMUNICATED WITH THE FLYING CLUB, INDICATING THE NEED FOR AN OFF-FIELD LANDING. THE SELECTED LANDING SITE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE CLUB AS A SUITABLE OFF-SITE LOCATION. THE PILOT CONDUCTED TWO ORBITS TO INSPECT THE SITE AND REPORTED NO VISIBLE HAZARDS.

DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE GLIDER’S RIGHT WING STRUCK A METAL FENCE OBSCURED BY TALL GRASS. THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT, RESULTING IN THE FUSELAGE AND LEFT WING ALSO CONTACTING THE BARBED WIRE FENCE.  ACCIDENT RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING.

## 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 CEN25LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA271), Jul 19, 2025: PZL Swidnik PW-5 (N4426Z), Kerrick, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.

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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