# NTSB GAA18CA263: Schweizer SGS 1 26, N17909, Springfield, VT, May 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2018, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Springfield, VT - Coordinates: 43.343612, -72.517219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3436&lon=-72.5172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97206 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97206/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97206 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA263 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inability to maintain sufficient altitude after the glider encountered downdrafts during the approach, which resulted in the glider striking trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-26E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8050124), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the glider pilot, the glider remained airborne for about 90 minutes before encountering downdrafts while he was pursuing a cumulous cloud system. He immediately attempted to return to the airport but had to select an off-airport landing site instead. During approach, the glider had "insufficient altitude" to clear trees on the west side of the field and collided with branches before impacting the ground. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the glider pilot, he remained airborne for about 90 minutes before encountering downdrafts while pursuing a cumulous cloud system. He immediately attempted to return to the airport but had to select an off-airport landing site instead. During approach, the glider had "insufficient altitude" to clear trees on the west side of the field and collided with branches before impacting the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17909](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17909), registered now, S/N 529, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1 26 (E) - 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: 529 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 1442.1 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: New England Soaring Association Inc - Registered owner: New England Soaring Association Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 2018 - Departed: VSF, Springfield, VT - Destination: VSF, Springfield, VT - Airport: VSF, Hartness State (Springfield) - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,870 total, 40 in this make and model, 4,688 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KVSF ## 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 20180505004709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180505004709A), May 5, 2018: Schweizer SGS 1-26E, North Springfei, VT, Substantial damage. The flight was launched about 12:30 on Saturday,may 5,2018 from runway 29 Hartness northfeild Vermont airport (kvsf),with the glider being released from the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97206. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466303&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.