# NTSB BFO89LA037: Schweizer I-26E, N1124S, Churchville, MD, May 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1989, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Churchville, MD
- Coordinates: 39.559005, -76.239616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5590&lon=-76.2396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN THE WING CONTACTING THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER CARTWHEELING.

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER SOARING FOR APRX 45 MINUTES THE STUDENT GLIDER PLT REALIZED THAT HE COULD NOT OBTAIN ENOUGH LIFT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HE SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD TO LAND IN. A WITNESS STATED THAT IT WAS OBVIOUS THE PLT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES PRIOR TO REACHING THE FIELD. HE STATED THAT THE GLIDER WAS DESCENDING TOWARD THE FIELD AND THE RIGHT WING DROPPED SLIGHTLY. THE GLIDER THEN FLIPPED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1124S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1124S-1999-04-27), registration cancelled 1999-04-27, S/N 512 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER I-26E
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 512
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sean Livingston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OW3, CHURCHVILLE, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,377 total, 7 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19890528012899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890528012899A), May 28, 1989: Scwzer SGS126E, Churchville, MD, Destroyed. Student ran out of thermals. Unable airport. Tried land in field too short. Flipped avoid trees. Cartwheeled.

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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