# NTSB FTW78FPA25: Schweizer SGS134, N7631, Fate, TX, May 27, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 27, 1978
- Place: Fate, TX · FATE, TX
- Location: 32.9433° N, 96.3868° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fate, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9433&lon=-96.3868&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FPA25
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPA25

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1015  78/5/27    FATE,TX             SCHWEIZER SGS134    CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 302
        TIME - 1400                    N7631               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 12 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CADDO MILLS,TX              RETURN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIRAL                                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PILOT UNABLE TO FIND THERMAL LIFT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7631](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7631-2013-02-26), registration cancelled 2013-02-26, S/N 11, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS134
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780527012139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780527012139A), May 27, 1978: Scwzer SGS126E, Fate, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot unable to find thermal lift.

## Other investigations on N7631 (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 MIA98LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA218), Aug 1, 1998: Schweizer SGS 1-34 (N7631), Pensacola, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper sink rate during an emergency landing resulting in impact with trees and subsequent stall and impact with the terrain.

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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