# NTSB ERA21LA276: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N2517H, Willimantic, CT, June 17, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 17, 2021, 11:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Willimantic, CT · 1,556 ft Fm Displaced Threshold Runway 36 - Coordinates: 41.736922, -72.181846 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7369&lon=-72.1818&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103378/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103378 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA276 ## Probable cause The failure of the student to achieve the proper touchdown point resulting in landing undershoot. ## 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 1-26E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was towed aloft and released at 3,000 ft above ground level (agl) two miles south of the airport. After practicing air-work south of the airport with no thermal activity, the flight encountered 2 episodes of significant sink (-1,000 ft/min). With a wind from the northwest at 8 knots, he proceeded for a straight-in approach to runway 36 (nearest runway). When the glider was on a 1-mile final for the runway, a 3rd episode of severe sink was encountered. Realizing he would be unable to reach the runway, the pilot executed a low-energy touchdown on the shoulder of a road about 800 ft from the runway threshold. Postaccident examination of the glider and the submitted NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident report confirmed substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot recommended performing airwork upwind of the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2517H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2517H), registered now, S/N 647, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26E (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 647 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 2300 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Connecticut Soaring Association - Registered owner: Connecticut Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2020 - Airport: IJD, Windham Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; student; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 57 total, 8 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KIJD - METAR: KIJD 171552Z AUTO 31006G16KT 10SM CLR 22/03 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP144 T02170033 ## 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 20210617007949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210617007949A), Jun 17, 2021: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, Windham, CT, Substantial damage. At approximately 1132 hours while landing on RW-36 at Windham Airport a glider (N2517H), piloted by student pilot [privacy data omitted] made an emergency… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103378. 7.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12610470&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Recd%207%2026%202021_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 5 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13786029&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photograps_ERA21LA276%20v02_Cropped%20Pics-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 704 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12611468&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.