# NTSB BFO92LA130: Schweizer 1-26D, N7734S, Blairstown, NJ, September 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1992, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Blairstown, NJ
- Location: 40.9711° N, 74.9975° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BLAIRSTOWN (1N7), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9711&lon=-74.9975&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA130

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE SPOILERS WHICH RESULTED IN A LANDING OVERRUN. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing
  - spoiler extension - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND, THE PILOT COULD NOT GET THE SPOILERS TO DEPLOY ON THE GLIDER.  HE STATED HE RAN OUT OF RUNWAY AND COULD NOT LAND OFF THE RUNWAY DUE TO OBSTACLES. THE PILOT SAID HE TRIED TO TURN THE GLIDER AT A LOW ALTITUDE TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND LAND ON THE RUNWAY. DURING THE MANEUVER THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER CARTWHEELED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW, NOR WAS TOLD, ABOUT A BUTTON ON THE CONTROL WHEEL THAT NEEDED TO BE PRESSED IN ORDER TO ALLOW SPILER DEPLOYMENT. HE STATED ON THE PILOT ACCIDENT REPORT FORM, 'UNDERSTANDING COCKPIT CONTROLS, ESPECIALLY DIFFERENCES FROM MODEL TO MODEL' MIGHT HAVE PREVENTED THIS ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7734S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7734S), registered now, S/N 434, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 1-26D
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26d) (registry code 8050122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 434
- Airframe hours: 1130
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald Schwartz
- Registered owner: Ronald Schwartz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1992, 33 hours before
- Departed: 1N7
- Airport: 1N7, Blairstown, runway 25, 2,990 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 12,477 total, 1,681 in this make and model, 12,477 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °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 19920907042529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920907042529A), Sep 7, 1992: Scwzer SGS126D, Blairstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Released from auto tow too low tried to reverse course and land. Wing struck ground causing a cartwheel.

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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