# NTSB ATL90LA125: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N34431, Montevallo, AL, June 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1990, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Montevallo, AL
- Coordinates: 33.099178, -86.85028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0992&lon=-86.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA125

## Probable cause

THE INATTENTIVENESS OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO THE ABORTED TAKEOFF OF THE TOW PLANE, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS DELAYED ACTION IN ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. THESE ACTIONS RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE GLIDER PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN AEROTOW TAKEOFF UTILIZING A CESSNA 150 AS A TOW PLANE. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE TOW PLANE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. WHEN THE GLIDER PILOT REALIZED THAT THE TOW PLANE HAD ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, HE WAS ALREADY AIRBORNE AND DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RUNWAY LEFT TO LAND. WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT INVESGIATION REVEALED NO MECHANIC MALFUNCTIONS WITH EITHER THE GLIDER OR THE TOW PLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34431](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34431-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N 631, built 1975 (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: 631
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Birmingham Soaring Society
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Flying X

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; flight hours: 300 total, 120 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BHM, 35 nm away

## 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 19900602023599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900602023599A), Jun 2, 1990: Scwzer SGS126E, Montevallo, AL, Substantial damage. Tow plane aborted takeoff run for unknown reason. Glider too high for runway stalled trying to land in a lake.

## Other investigations on N34431 (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 NYC76DNC07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76DNC07), Aug 2, 1975: Schweizer 126D (N34431), Franconia, NH, substantial damage

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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