# NTSB ERA10CA419: Schweizer SGS 1-34, N65916, Groveland, FL, August 13, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2010, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Groveland, FL - Coordinates: 28.405834, -81.837776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4058&lon=-81.8378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76955 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA419 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76955/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76955 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA419 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to attain the proper approach path to the runway, resulting in landing short of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8050146), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The glider pilot reported that he was in the traffic pattern adjoining the downwind leg for the runway. He turned onto the base leg at 650 feet above ground level (agl) and then turned onto final approach at 450 feet agl. The glider was high and he could not attain a normal glide slope using the dive brakes. He closed the dive brakes and performed a 360-degree turn in an effort to lose altitude. At mid-field, with the glider about 100 feet agl, he decided to circle right and attempt a landing on a perpendicular runway. The glider was too low and impacted a tree short of the runway. A witness reported that the dive brakes remained full open during the accident sequence. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage reported that the dive brakes were in the deployed, or up, position when he arrived at the accident site. ## Factual narrative The glider pilot reported that he was in the traffic pattern, setting up for a left downwind for runway 18. He turned base at 650 feet agl and then turned onto final at 450 feet agl. He found himself high on final and could not attain a normal glide slope using the dive brakes. He closed the dive brakes and performed a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. At mid-field and 100 feet agl, he decided to circle right and attempt a landing on runway 36. He “got too low” and impacted a tree short of the runway. A witness reported that the dive brakes remained full open during the accident sequence. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage reported that the dive brakes were in the deployed, or up position, when he arrived at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65916](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65916-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N 86, built 1974 (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: 86 - Airframe hours: 4506 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Seminole Flying & Soaring Inc - Registered owner: Seminole Flying & Soaring Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 2010, 8 hours before - Departed: 6FL0, Groveland, FL - Destination: 6FL0, Groveland, FL - Airport: 6FL0, Seminole Lake Gliderport, runway 18, 3,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 6,510 total, 2 in this make and model, 6,332 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: GIF, 21 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 20100813042979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100813042979A), Aug 13, 2010: Schweizer SGS 1-34, Clermont, FL, Substantial damage. Glider landed to the south on runway 018 after the left wing came in contact with a tree during landing approach. The accident occurred at Seminole lake glider… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76955. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 490 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot and Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - MoR - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=MoR%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Maintenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Glider with Air Brakes Deployed (item 5, .PDF, 632 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336507&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Glider%20with%20Air%20Brakes%20Deployed-Master.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. --- 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.