# NTSB ANC97TA074: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N2952H, Fort Wainwright, AK, May 17, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1997, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wainwright, AK
- Coordinates: 64.829658, -147.619094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8297&lon=-147.6191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97TA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97TA074

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight and improper planning/decision.  Factors relating to the accident were: an unlatched canopy, and unsuitable terrain for landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - window,canopy - unlatched (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - glider/tow release - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was departing in a glider on a local proficiency flight. During the takeoff roll, the glider's canopy suddenly opened. The pilot released the glider from the tow airplane, and landed in unsuitable terrain off the airport environment. The glider received damage to the right side of the nose, the right wingtip, and the fuselage.

## Factual narrative

On May 17, 1997, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26E glider, N2952H, crashed during a precautionary landing at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.  The glider was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area proficiency flight when the accident occurred.  The glider, registered to and operated by the Civil Air Patrol, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

On May 19, 1997, at 1225, a Civil Air Patrol officer reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the glider was being towed aloft behind a tow airplane.  During the initial takeoff roll from runway 24, the glider canopy opened.  The pilot released the tow line from the tow plane, and landed off the airport environment.  During the landing, the glider received damage to the right side of the nose, the right wingtip, and the fuselage.

The weather conditions were reported as:  Wind, 220 degrees at 15 knots with gust to 20 knots; visibility, 7 statute miles; clouds, 5,000 feet broken; temperature, 53 degrees F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2952H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2952H), registered now, S/N 682, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 1-26E
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 682
- Airframe hours: 1947
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1997, 18 hours before
- Departed: FBK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PAFB, Wainwright Army Air Field, runway 24, 8,552 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 159 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19970517011069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970517011069A), May 17, 1997: Scwzer SGS126E, Fort Wainwright, AK, Substantial damage. Canopy opened on glider tow. Released tow. Damaged landing off airport. Glider will fly sans canopy but high drag.

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.

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