# NTSB FTW76FQD30: Schweizer SGS126, N8639R, Fabens, TX, July 7, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 7, 1976
- Place: Fabens, TX · FABENS, TX
- Location: 31.5175° N, 106.1351° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fabens, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5175&lon=-106.1351&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 154543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW76FQD30
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FQD30

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1628   76/7/7    FABENS,TX           SCHWEIZER SGS126    CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, 40 TOTAL
        TIME - 1440                    N8639R              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 7 IN TYPE, UNK/NR
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FABENS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FABENS,TX                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - POORLY PLANNED APPROACH
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      86
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          230                                                       8
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- UN REACH RWY DUE MDT DWN DRAFTS. LND IN FLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8639R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8639R), registered now, S/N 173, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS126
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26a) (registry code 8050116) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Fabens

## 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 19760707018529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760707018529A), Jul 7, 1976: Scwzer SGS126A, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. Un reach rwy due MDT dwn drafts. Lnd in fld.

## Other investigations on N8639R (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 FTW69D0079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0079), Jul 19, 1968: Schweizer SGS126 (N8639R), El Paso, TX, substantial damage

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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