# NTSB ATL94LA059: PZL-Bielsko SZD-55-1, N551TJ, Mcminnville, TN, March 5, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1994, 15:33 local (21:33 UTC)
- Place: Mcminnville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.68013, -85.770782 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6801&lon=-85.7708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA059

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing approach.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A LANDING IN A GRASS FIELD. HE STATED THAT ON FINAL APPROACH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE, AND CRASHED INTO THE FIELD.

## Factual narrative

On March 5, 1994, about 1533 central standard time, a Bielsko SZD-55-1 Glider, N551TJ was destroyed following a collision with terrain near McMinnville, Tennessee. The private pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight departed Mcminnville about 1330 enroute to Knoxville, Tennessee.

The pilot stated that he was attempting a landing in a grass field. He stated that he lost control of the aircraft on short final, and impacted a fence and the terrain.

The pilot failed to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N551TJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N551TJ-1994-11-01), registration cancelled 1994-11-01, S/N 551192029 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL-Bielsko SZD-55-1
- Registry model: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-55-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/pdps-pzl-bielsko-szd-55-1) (registry code 8821644) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 551192029
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ware, Robert R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1993, 50 hours before
- Destination: TYS, KNOXVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 10 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNC, 10 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 19940305003789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940305003789A), Mar 5, 1994: Szd SZD551, Mcminnville, TN, Destroyed. Glider struck a fence on off airport landing. Had run out of lift on cross country flight.

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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