# NTSB CEN10CA388: Schweizer SGS 1-26B, N2429W, Waynesville, OH, July 10, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 10, 2010, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Waynesville, OH
- Coordinates: 39.476665, -84.093612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4767&lon=-84.0936&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA388
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76593/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76593
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA388

## Probable cause

The student pilot's delayed decision that resulted in insufficent altitude to return to the departure airport.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student glider pilot was towed to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level and 2 miles from the departure airport, before releasing for a training flight in the local area. Unable to locate sustained lift, the student pilot returned to the airport for landing. The student pilot "thought that [she] had sufficient altitude to safely return to [departure airport]"; however, the glider contacted trees and terrain near the airport. Examination of the glider revealed both composite wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The student pilot stated there were no anomalies with the glider prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The student glider pilot was towed to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level and 2 miles from the departure airport, before releasing for a training flight in the local area. Unable to locate sustained lift, the student pilot returned to the airport for landing. The student pilot "thought that [she] had sufficient altitude to safely return to [departure airport]"; however, the glider contacted trees and terrain near the airport. Examination of the glider revealed both composite wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The student pilot stated there were no anomalies with the glider prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2429W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2429W-2019-03-16), registration cancelled 2019-03-16, S/N 361, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26B
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26b) (registry code 8050118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 361
- Airframe hours: 1620
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2010
- Departed: Waynesville, OH
- Destination: Waynesville, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 17; injuries: none; seat: single; flight hours: 27 total, 2 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg

## 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 20100710038489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100710038489A), Jul 10, 2010: Schweizer SGS 1-26B, Waynesville, OH, Substantial damage. On 07/10/2010, at approximately 1500 EDT, [privacy data omitted], student pilot [privacy data omitted], was towed aloft from Caesar Creek Soaring Club (2OH9)…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76593. 607 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 607 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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