# NTSB GAA18CA557: Schweizer SGS 1 35, N34107, Burnet, TX, September 1, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2018, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Burnet, TX - Coordinates: 30.738889, -98.238609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7389&lon=-98.2386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98304 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA557 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98304/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98304 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA557 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing and to use the Before Landing checklist. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer SGS 1-35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8050148), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the retractable-landing gear-equipped glider reported that, during flight, he could no longer find lift, so he selected a field for landing. During the approach, he did not use the Before Landing checklist, and he forgot to extend the landing gear. The glider landed on the lower fuselage and skidded across the grass surface before it collided with a barbed wire fence. The glider sustained substantial damage to the canopy, fuselage, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped glider, reported that during flight he could no longer find lift, and selected a field for landing. During the approach, he did not use the before landing checklist, and he forgot to extend his landing gear. The glider landed on the lower fuselage and skidded across the grass surface before it collided with a barbed wire fence. The glider sustained substantial damage to the canopy, the fuselage, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34107](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34107), registered now, S/N 50, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 1 35 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-35](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-35) (registry code 8050148) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 50 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 989.38 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2018 - Departed: TX23, Briggs, TX - Destination: TX23, Briggs, TX - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,692 total, 340 in this make and model, 2,650 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KBMQ ## 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 20180901012729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180901012729A), Sep 1, 2018: Schweizer SGS 1-35, Burnet, TX, Substantial damage. On 09/01/2018 at approximately 1200-1300 hours, the airman, [privacy data omitted] took off from front line flyers glider port in briggs, TX. He received… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98304. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473382&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473383&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.