# NTSB ERA22LA365: Schweizer SGS 1-26D, N249AF, Windsor, VA, July 4, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2022, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Windsor, VA
- Coordinates: 36.856574, -76.684633 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8566&lon=-76.6846&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- 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): 105685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA365
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105685/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105685
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA365

## Probable cause

The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions, where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8050122), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=8050122), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050122), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050122), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that after departing for local area soaring, he found himself in “dying lift”. He attempted to recover altitude but was unsuccessful. He said that the glider encountered additional “sink” and did not have sufficient altitude to reach the airport. During the forced landing on rough terrain the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N249AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N249AF), registered now, S/N 421, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26D
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26D](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26d) (registry code 8050122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 421
- Year built: 1968
- Airframe hours: 1553.05
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 2022
- Departed: 3VA8, Garner Airport, VA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 3VA8, Garner Airport, runway 02/20, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review September 4, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 368 total, 116 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KAKQ, 22 nm away
- METAR: METAR KAKQ 041954Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM SCT070 SCT085 27/12 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP126 T02670122

## 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 20220704011709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220704011709A), Jul 4, 2022: Schweizer SGS 1-26D, Windsor, VA, Substantial damage. Glider cross country flight encountered strong sink/downdraft and didn't make it back to the gliderport. Landed in low trees.

## Other investigations on N249AF (1)

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.

- [NTSB IAD79DID08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79DID08), Jan 27, 1979: Schweizer SGS126 (N249AF), Windsor, VA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105685. 4.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14412969&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Blakeslee.Raymond%20NTSB%20Pilot%20Aircraft%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 853 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14415673&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.

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