# NTSB FTW78DPG12: Schweizer 1-26, N7716S, Mena, AR, January 2, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 2, 1978
- Place: Mena, AR · MENA, AR
- Location: 34.5826° N, 94.2365° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mena, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5826&lon=-94.2365&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78DPG12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DPG12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0113   78/1/2    MENA,AR             SCHWEIZER 1-26      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 15, 20 TOTAL
        TIME - 1450                    N7716S              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 9 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MENA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MENA,AR                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PILOT FAILED TO FIND LIFTING THERMAL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7716S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7716S), registered now, S/N 416, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 1-26
- 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
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Mena

## 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 19780102000059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780102000059A), Jan 2, 1978: Scwzer SGS126E, Mena, AR, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to find lifting thermal.

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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