# NTSB DEN89LA140: Schweizer 1-26E, N65910, Elbert, CO, June 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Elbert, CO
- Coordinates: 39.220642, -104.530487 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2206&lon=-104.5305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA140

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH PLACED THE AIRCRAFT TOO FAR FROM THE RUNWAY TO COMPLETE A NORMAL LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - ground loop/swerve

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAITED TOO LONG TO BEGIN HIS LANDING PATTERN AND FOUND HIMSELF TOO FAR FROM THE AIRPORT. THERE WAS NO OBSTACLE FREE AREA AVAILABLE FOR THE OFF AIRPORT LANDING AND WHEN THE PLT TURNED TO ALIGN WITH THE BEST AREA A WING TIP DRAGGED AND THE GLIDER GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N65910 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer 1-26E
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 610
- Airframe hours: 479
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Soar Black Forest, Inc.
- Registered owner: Cruce, James L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1988, 69 hours before
- Departed: CO26
- Destination: CO26
- Airport: CO26, Black Forest, runway 17, 3,800 × 24 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 246 total, 1 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890618016209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618016209A), Jun 18, 1989: Scwzer SGS126E, Elbert, CO, Substantial damage. Unable to find a thermal, became too low to land at airport. Dragged a wing landing off airport and ground looped.

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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