# NTSB FTW83LA374: Schweizer SGS 1-26F, N2693H, Caddo Mills, TX, August 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1983, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Caddo Mills, TX
- Location: 33.0362° N, 96.2431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CADDO MILLS MUNI (7F3), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0362&lon=-96.2431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA374
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA374

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT SAW A SMALL THUNDERSTORM MOVING TOWARD THE ARPT, SO HE RETURNED TO LAND BEFORE IT ARRIVED. HE STATED HE WAS 2 TO 3 MIN TOO LATE. WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, DOWNDRAFTS & WINDS REPORTEDLY GUSTING TO 30 KTS. AS THE PLT TURNED ONTO FINAL APCH, THE GLIDER SUDDENLY DROPPED, TOUCHED DOWN HARD SHORT OF THE RWY & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2693H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2693H), registered now, S/N 673, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26F
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26e) (registry code 8050124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 673
- Airframe hours: 397
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald L. Coburn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 7F3, Caddo Mills

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 26 total, 26 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19830814040479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830814040479A), Aug 14, 1983: Scwzer SGS126, Caddo Mills, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting landing in glider when nearby thunderstorm caused severe turbulence causing crash.

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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