# NTSB FTW94LA237: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N33915, Littlefield, TX, July 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1994, 17:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Littlefield, TX
- Coordinates: 33.909664, -102.329277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9097&lon=-102.3293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA237

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE LOW ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DOWNWIND TURN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAID THE PILOT COMPLETED A GLIDER COMPETITION LOW AND SLOW AT THE FINISH. THE PILOT TURNED LEFT ONTO THE DOWNWIND LEG, FOLLOWED BY A STEEP LEFT TURN AND NOSE PITCH DOWN. IMPACT OCCURRED NOSE LOW STILL TURNING LEFT.

## Factual narrative

On July 16, 1994, approximately 1735 central daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-26E, N33915, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering at Littlefield, Texas.  The commercial pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot's husband, his wife was participating in a glider competition.  Because of her injuries, she had no recollection of the accident.  Enclosed witness documents report that the glider crossed the finish fence low and slow and started a left turn at mid field to a downwind leg, followed by the left wing dropping and a nose down pitch.  They related that impact was nose low, still turning left.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33915](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33915), registered now, S/N 625, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26E
- 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: 625
- Airframe hours: 475
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lathrop, Gayle P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1994, 13 hours before
- Airport: Q00, Littlefield Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 279 total, 248 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB, 33 nm away

## 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 19940716018529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940716018529A), Jul 16, 1994: Scwzer SGS126E, Littlefield, TX, Substantial damage. During glider competition. Crossed fence finish marker low. Began left turn for landing. Nosed into ground.

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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