# NTSB FTW84LA305: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N2961H, Welch, TX, July 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1984, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Welch, TX
- Coordinates: 32.929294, -102.130203 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9293&lon=-102.1302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA305

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PARTICIPATING IN A NATIONAL X-COUNTRY CONTEST. AFTER APRX 6 HRS OF FLT, HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A CIRCULAR IRRIGATED COTTON FIELD. DURING A 2ND 360 DEG TURN OVER THE INTENDED LANDING AREA, AT APRX 100 FT AGL, THE GLIDER'S LEFT WING DROPPED ABOUT 60 DEG & IT ENTERED A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 6000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2961H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26E
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 681
- Airframe hours: 1215
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: U.S.A.F. Academy
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: HBB, HOBBS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 221 total, 14 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 19840707030789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840707030789A), Jul 7, 1984: Scwzer SGS126E, Welch, TX, Destroyed. During turn into field, at 100 feet above ground, glider spun into cotton field.

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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