# NTSB GAA15CA098: Schweizer SGS 1 26B, N8683R, Mocksville, NC, May 30, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2015, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Mocksville, NC - Coordinates: 36.023887, -80.517219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0239&lon=-80.5172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91273/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91273 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA098 ## Probable cause The glider pilot over-ran the runway and impacted a structure after encountering a strong updraft on short final. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: updraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030/cases.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050118), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot, was on his first solo in this make and model glider, and reported that while on final approach, with the spoilers extended, the glider encountered a "significant strong thermal updraft", which caused him to float past his intended landing spot. Subsequently the glider over-ran the runway and impacted a structure, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation ## Factual narrative The student pilot, was on his first solo in this make and model glider, and reported that while on final approach, with the spoilers extended, the glider encountered a "significant strong thermal updraft", which caused him to float past his intended landing spot. Subsequently the glider over-ran the runway and impacted a structure, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8683R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8683R), registered now, S/N 214, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1 26B (B) - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26b) (registry code 8050118) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 214 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 2357.09 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Denaples John P - Registered owner: Denaples John P - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2015 - Departed: 43NC, Mocksville, NC - Destination: 43NC, Mocksville, NC - Airport: 43NC, Bahnson, runway 01, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2012; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 127 total, 0.5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KINT, 16 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 20150530009409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150530009409A), May 30, 2015: Schweizer SGS 1-26B, Mocksville, NC, Substantial damage. On 5/30/2015 [privacy data omitted], a glider student pilot, landed a Schweizer 126B glider, N8683R, fast and long at the Bahnson Glider Port (43NC) that… ## Other investigations on N8683R (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 NYC69D0037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69D0037), Jun 8, 1968: Schweizer SGS126 (N8683R), Toughkenamon, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91273. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 616 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429451&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Email - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429452&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.