# NTSB IAD80DIG06: Schweizer 1-26C, N2781Z, Charlestown, WV, March 9, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 9, 1980
- Place: Charlestown, WV · CHARLESTOWN, WV
- Location: 39.2640° N, 77.8813° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Charles Town, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2640&lon=-77.8813&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD80DIG06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80DIG06

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0275   80/3/9  NR.CHARLESTOWN,WV     SCHWEIZER 1-26C     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 49, 813
        TIME - 1115                    N2781Z              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 516 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          FAIRFIELD,PA.               RETURN                       ROUND ROBIN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      65
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          270                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT PLND TO USE THERMAL & RIDGE LIFT DRG ROUND ROBIN,LOST ALL LIFT.ATTEMPTED LNDG IN SHORT FLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2781Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2781Z), registered now, S/N 289, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 1-26C
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26c) (registry code 8050120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800309008469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800309008469A), Mar 9, 1980: Scwzer SGS126C, Charlestown, WV, Substantial damage. Glider lost lift on crosscountry. Had to choose a short field with trees on border. Wing hit trees on final.

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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