# NTSB ERA13CA245: Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, N9860E, Yadkinville, NC, May 14, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 14, 2013, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Yadkinville, NC
- Coordinates: 36.051387, -80.533332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0514&lon=-80.5333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86916/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86916
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA245

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper altitude management while maneuvering for an off-airport landing, which resulted in a collision with trees.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8050112), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8050112), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8050112), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 base: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=8050112), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050112), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was conducting a local glider flight. After soaring for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, the pilot began to return to the departure airport. The pilot stated that the glider encountered a downdraft that would not allow him to return safely and he elected to land in a hay field about 3 miles northwest of the departure airport. The pilot further stated the approach was normal and at the "proper speed". While turning onto final approach the glider's right wing clipped a tree and spun around clockwise into trees. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed that the left and right wing leading edges incurred substantial damage due to impact with trees, and about three feet of the left wing tip was sheared off. Both spoilers were found in the full extended position. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting a local glider flight. After soaring for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, the pilot began to return to the departure airport. The pilot stated that the glider encountered a downdraft that would not allow him to return safely and he elected to land in a hay field about 3 miles northwest of the departure airport. The pilot further stated the approach was normal and at the "proper speed". While turning onto final approach the glider's right wing clipped a tree and spun around clockwise into trees. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed that the left and right wing leading edges incurred substantial damage due to impact with trees, and about three feet of the left wing tip was sheared off. Both spoilers were found in the full extended position. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9860E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9860E-2023-04-01), registration cancelled 2023-04-01, S/N 69, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-23H-15
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-23h-15) (registry code 8050112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 69
- Airframe hours: 2157
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cummings Roger W
- Registered owner: Cummings Roger W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2013
- Departed: 43NC, Mocksville, NC
- Destination: 43NC, Mocksville, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 11, 2012; seat: center; flight hours: 388 total, 108 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots, gusting 9
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KINT, 16 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 20130514008409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130514008409A), May 14, 2013: Schweizer SGS 1-23H-15, Yadkinville, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot departed Bahnson (43NC) at 1400 EDT, after approximately 1HR. 25 min. Of soaring, pilot attempted to return to 43NC. Pilot stated he encountered a very…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86916. 24.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 285 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Instrument Panel. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Instrument%20Panel.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Fuselage. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Fuselage.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Picture of the cockpit. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Picture%20of%20the%20cockpit.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4: Picture of the left wing. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Picture%20of%20the%20left%20wing.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5: Left wing tip. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%3A%20Left%20wing%20tip.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 6: Overhead map. (item 7, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%3A%20Overhead%20map.-Master.PDF
- Weather data. (item 8, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20data.-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.

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