- Date
- April 12, 2013, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place
- Tullahoma, TN
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N26ELSchleicher Alexander ASH 26 E
- Defining event
- Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 5, 2013
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties
- FAA/FSDO
- FAA report
- 20130412016279A
- Case key
- 87350
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper use of wing spoilers during approach resulting in an altitude loss and collision with a tree.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
According to the pilot, he was on a one mile final approach to runway 36 at 800 feet with the glider engine stowed. He noted that the wind was changing and extended the flaps. The airspeed was between 55 and 60 knots when the airbrakes were extended to start a descent. The altitude was high and the glider began to descend at a rapid rate. The pilot closed the airbrakes to arrest the descent rate but realized he was to low and unable to land on the intended runway. The glider collided with a tree, and a post-accident examination revealed that the left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, he was on a one mile final approach to runway 36 at 800 feet with the glider engine stowed. He noted that the winds were changing and extended the flaps. The airspeed was between 55 and 60 knots when the airbrakes were extended to start a descent. The altitude was high and the glider began to descend at a rapid rate. The pilot closed the airbrakes to arrest the descent rate but realized he was too low and unable to land on the intended runway. The glider collided with a tree, and a post-accident examination revealed that the left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N26EL
- Reported as
- Schleicher Alexander ASH 26 E
- Category
- Glider
- Serial number
- 26243
- Airframe hours
- 15
- Engine
- Diamond AE50R, 50 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Long Jeffrey A
- Registered owner
- Long Jeffrey A
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 3, 2012 · 4 hours before
- Departed
- THA · Tullahoma, TN
- Destination
- THA · Tullahoma, TN
- Flight plan
- Unknown
- Airport
- THA · Tullahoma Regional Airport
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 68
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- January 5, 2012
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 1,177 total · 16 in this make and model · 1,093 as pilot in command · 2 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.92 inHg
- Observed at
- THA, 1 nm away
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2013, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 734 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N26EL · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.