# NTSB FTW95LA305: Schweizer SGS 126B, N8611R, Durango, CO, July 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1995, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.270885, -107.879997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2709&lon=-107.8800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA305

## Probable cause

INACCURATE WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A STUDENT SOLO TRAINING FLIGHT, THE PILOT COULD NOT FIND AREAS OF LIFT AND MADE A LANDING IN THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE GLIDER STRUCK A FENCE.

## Factual narrative

On July 15, 1995, at 1230 mountain daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 126B Glider, N8611R, sustained substantial damage during an off airport landing near Durango, Colorado.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area student solo training flight, and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he encountered weather conditions which caused a sink rate to develop and he could not find thermals for lift.  He said he made an off airport landing in the only field within his gliding range and the glider struck a fence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8611R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8611R-2000-09-12), registration cancelled 2000-09-12, S/N 137 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 126B
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26b) (registry code 8050118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 137
- Airframe hours: 1892
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: La Vern D. St Clair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1995, 6 hours before
- Departed: DRO, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; seat: front; flight hours: 9 total, 6 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 15 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 19950715018739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950715018739A), Jul 15, 1995: Scwzer SGS126E, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Unable to find thermals and or return to airport. Struck fence landing off airport.

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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