# NTSB CEN26LA282: Pzl-Bielsko B1-PW-5, N105WS, Briggs, TX, August 6, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: August 6, 2026, 15:38 local (20:38 UTC)
- Place: Briggs, TX
- Coordinates: 30.854703, -97.947622
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8547&lon=-97.9476&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA282
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA282

## Preliminary report

On August 6, 2026, about 1538 central daylight time, a PZL-Bielsko B1-PW-5 glider, N105WS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Briggs, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The glider was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The glider was departing on an auto-tow launch at the time of the accident. According to witness statements, the glider achieved level flight at about 1,000 ft before release from the towline. Following the release, the glider yawed to the right and entered a descending spiral, completing about 7 to 8 rotations before impacting terrain west of the glider port. Witnesses reported that the glider impacted the ground in a near-vertical attitude. The cockpit and forward fuselage were crushed aft during the impact. Both wings remained attached to the fuselage. The tail section and vertical stabilizer were partially separated, with the aft 4 ft of the tail boom folded over the aft fuselage. The glider was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Pzl-Bielsko B1-PW-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05613I6), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N105WS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N105WS), registered now, S/N 05.001.10, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL-BIELSKO B1-PW-5
- Registry model: [Pzl-Bielsko B1-PW-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/pzl-bielsko-b1-pw-5) (registry code 05613I6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 05.001.10
- Year built: 2002
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: TX23, Briggs, TN
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: TX23, FLF Gliderport

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KBMQ, 16 nm away
- METAR: KBMQ 062053Z AUTO 19008G15KT 10SM SCT070 36/17 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP152 T03560167 58024

## 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 20260806011609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260806011609A), Aug 6, 2026: Pzl-Bielsko B1-PW-5, Briggs, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On 08/06/2026, aircraft [privacy data omitted], a Pzl-Bielsko, B1-PW-5 glider conducting auto-tow launch operation was involved in accident that caused…

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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