# NTSB CHI00LA033: Schweizer SGS-1-34, N7646, East Lynne, MO, November 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 1999, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: East Lynne, MO - Coordinates: 38.669101, -94.230186 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6691&lon=-94.2302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47803/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA033 ## Probable cause inadequate airspeed and a subsequent stall. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind, the pilot's misjudgment of the wind condition, and poor inflight planning. ## 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 - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on short final to runway 18, at an altitude of 350 feet agl, the glider encountered a gust of wind and it turned left of the runway heading. He elected to perform a 360 degree turn to the left to realign the glider with the runway heading. The pilot stated that while on a northerly heading turbulence and a sink rate were encountered. He was unable to level the wings and the glider stalled, impacting the terrain. A glider pilot who witnessed the accident reported the glider was landing to the north, downwind, when the accident occurred. He reported it was common for them to land with a tailwind of 10 knots of less to minimize ground handling. The glider wreckage was located southeast of the runway. The pilot reported the local winds were from the northwest at 2 knots. The witness reported the local winds were from 200 degrees at 10 knots. The winds reported 18 miles northwest of the accident site, 23 minutes after the accident, were from 220 degrees at 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 1999, at 1430 central standard time, a Schweizer SGS-1-34, N7646, operated by a commercial glider pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of control while in the traffic pattern to land at Richters Field, East Lynne, Missouri. The pilot was seriously injured and the glider was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Richter Field at 1400 cst. The pilot reported the accident occurred when he returned to land following a local flight. He reported that while on short final to runway 18, at an altitude of 350 feet above ground level (agl), the glider encountered a gust of wind and it turned left of the runway heading. He reported he elected to perform a 360 degree turn to the left to realign the glider with the runway heading. The pilot continued to report that while on a northerly heading "violent turbulence" and a sink rate were encountered. He reported he was unable to level the wings and the glider stalled, impacting the terrain. A glider pilot who witnessed the accident reported seeing the glider at an altitude of approximately 200 feet agl southeast of the runway on a westerly heading. He reported, "I thought it was a reasonable position for right turn to landing, but lower and slower than I would like to have seen." He reported the glider then made a turn to the left (away from the runway), and after about 270 degrees of turn, "...the nose dropped dramatically." He reported he then lost site of the glider. He reported the glider came to rest approximately 100 feet southeast of where it began its turn southeast of the runway. The witness reported they often landed downwind with a wind of 10 knots or less, to minimize ground handling. The location of the wreckage was also comfirmed by the Cass County Sheriff's Office. The pilot reported the local winds were from the northwest at 2 knots. The witness reported the local winds were from 200 degrees at 10 knots. The winds reported at the Kansas City, Richards-Gebaur Memorial Airport, located 18 miles northwest of the accident site were from 220 degrees at 15 knots. This weather observation was taken 23 minutes after the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7646](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7646-2020-10-03), registration cancelled 2020-10-03, S/N 26, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS-1-34 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 26 - Airframe hours: 1419 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Midwestern Soaring Assn., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1999, 16 hours before - Departed: 86K - Destination: 86K - Airport: 86K, Richters, runway 36, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,606 total, 31 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GVW, 18 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 19991113047339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991113047339A), Nov 13, 1999: Scwzer SGS134, East Lynne, MO, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot reported that while on short final to runway 18, at an altitude of 350 feet AGL, the glider encountered a gust of wind and it turned left of the… ## Other investigations on N7646 (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC78DCG58](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCG58), Aug 5, 1978: Schweizer 1-34 (N7646), Grain Valley, MO, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.