# NTSB DFW05CA075: Schweizer SGS1-26B, N7569, Midlothian, TX, February 20, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 20, 2005, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Midlothian, TX - Coordinates: 32.366664, -97.014167 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3667&lon=-97.0142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61050 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61050/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment in distance/altitude and his failure to maintain clearance from a tree while on final to approach to landing. Contributing factors were the lack of thermal lift and the gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command - weather condition - no thermal lift (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 360-hour private pilot reported that he was unable to find any thermal lift to assist in gaining altitude to return to the gliderport. The pilot then selected a nearby open field suitable for landing. The pilot stated that while on final approach to the open field, he experienced gusty headwinds resulting in an "excessive sink rate." At an altitude of approximately 30 feet above ground level, the outer portion of the left wing struck the top of a tree. Subsequently, the glider nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot stated that the wind at the time of the accident was from the southwest at approximately 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 2005, approximately 1445 central standard time, a Schweizer SGS1-26B glider, N7569, registered to Texas Soaring Association (TSA) of Midlothian, Texas, and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and the ground while on final approach to an off-airport landing area near Midlothian, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the glider, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the TSA Gliderport (TA11), near Midlothian, Texas, at an unknown time. The 360-hour private pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was unable to find any thermal lift to assist in gaining altitude to return to TA11, and he elected to land on a nearby open field which he considered suitable for landing. The pilot stated that while on final approach to the open field, he experienced gusty headwinds resulting in an "excessive sink rate." While at an estimated altitude of 30 feet above ground level, the outer portion of the left wing struck the top of a 30-foot high tree. Subsequently, the glider nosed-over and impacted the ground, coming to rest in the upright position. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the winds were from the southwest at approximately 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. Examination of the glider by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the tubular structure of the nose was crushed aft just forward of the instrument panel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7569](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7569), registered now, S/N 469, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS1-26B - 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: 469 - Airframe hours: 2414 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Luron Jokisch - Registered owner: Texas Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2004 - Departed: Midlothian, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; last flight review June 6, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 360 total, 360 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20050220003649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050220003649A), Feb 20, 2005: Scwzer SGS126B, Waxahachie, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 20, 2005 @ 1445 CDT, a schweitzer SGS-1-26B gliderplane, N7569 collided with a tree during a "land out" on the ikard ranch near fm 1446 and… 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.