# NTSB ATL89LA184: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N65943, Alabaster, AL, July 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1989, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Alabaster, AL
- Coordinates: 33.220661, -86.820785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2207&lon=-86.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA184

## Probable cause

THE GLIDER PILOT'S POOR EVALUATION OF AREA WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE FLIGHT, WHICH NECESSITATED AN OFF-AIRPORT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND LED TO A COLLISION WITH ROUGH TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA, THE PILOT'S COMPLACENCY REGARDING AREA WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH EXISTED AT THE LANDING SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER ENCOUNTERING T-STORMS THAT HAD MOVED INTO THE AREA. HE SUBSEUQNETLY ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LDG. DURING THE LDG, THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND SUSTAINED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING. THE PLT ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT TO COMPLACENCY AND POOR JUDGEMENT: HE STATED THAT HE WAS COMPLACENT ABOUT THE WX EVEN THOUGH SCATTERED T-STORMS HAD BEEN PREDICTED. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT HE USED POOR JUDGEMENT BY FAILING TO EXPEDITE HIS RETURN TO THE AIRPORT WHEN HE FIRST OBSERVED THE STORM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65943](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65943-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 583, built 1974 (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: 583
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Birmingham Soaring Society
- Departed: 29A, MONTEVALLO, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; flight hours: 180 total, 2 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890723025169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890723025169A), Jul 23, 1989: Scwzer SGS126E, Alabaster, AL, Substantial damage. Crash landed in rough terrain on a precautionary off airport landing due to thunderstorms moving over airport.

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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