# NTSB GAA18CA305: ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD 36 A Cobra 15, N1075G, Hammond, IL, May 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2018, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Hammond, IL - Coordinates: 39.796943, -88.591667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7969&lon=-88.5917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97342 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97342/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97342 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA305 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during an off-airport landing and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power pole guy wires. ## 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: [ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05614ZT), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05614ZT), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05614ZT), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=05614ZT), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05614ZT), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05614ZT), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05614ZT), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the glider pilot, while skirting rain showers, he was unable to find lift and made an off-airport landing. The pilot made a straight-in approach to a field and noticed that power line poles lined the west side of the field. He made his approach just east of the poles so that he would have access to a road and could load the glider onto a transport trailer. The glider touched down on the dirt field, drifted toward the power line poles, and the left wing struck a guy wire that ran perpendicular to the poles. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the left side of the fuselage near the wing root. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had not landed so close to the poles. Further, he should have chosen a field earlier when he had more altitude, circled the field, and landed near the center. 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, while skirting rain showers, he was unable to find lift and made an off-airport landing. The pilot made a straight in approach to a field and noticed that power line poles lined the west side of the field. He made his approach just to the east of the poles so that he would have access to a road and could load the glider onto a transport trailer. The glider touched down on the dirt field, drifted toward the power line poles, and the left wing struck a guy wire that ran perpendicular to the poles. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the left side of the fuselage near the wing root. Per the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the recommendation section, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had not landed so close to the poles. Further, he should have chosen a field earlier when he had more altitude, circled the field, and landed near the center. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1075G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1075G-2019-11-01), registration cancelled 2019-11-01, S/N W-691, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZS DELTA-BIELSKO WROCLAW SZD 36 A COBRA 15 (A) - Registry model: [ZS Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15](https://openairdocs.org/model/zs-delta-bielsko-wroclaw-szd-36-a-cobra-15) (registry code 05614ZT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: W-691 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 1042 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2017 - Departed: 2K0, Monticello, IL - Destination: Hammond, IL - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; last flight review May 6, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 293 total, 134 in this make and model, 264 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KDEC, 13 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 20180527006089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180527006089A), May 27, 2018: Zs Delta-Bielsko Wroclaw SZD-36 A COBRA 15, Hammond, IL, Destroyed. Narrative: The PIC stated that he launched from piatt county airport (2K0). He Stated he was towed to around 2000 feet AGL where he disconnected from The tow… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97342. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 854 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.