# NTSB MIA92LA178: Schweizer 1-26E, N1139S, Ridgeland, SC, July 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1992, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeland, SC
- Coordinates: 32.480064, -80.979888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4801&lon=-80.9799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA178

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING RESULTING IN AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WINDSHIFT ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A WINDSHIFT DUE TO THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DUE TO A TAILWIND. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE GLIDER TO LAND IN A FIELD TO AVOID OBSTACLES, AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1139S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1139S), registered now, S/N 519, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 1-26E
- 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: 519
- Airframe hours: 599
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lowcountry Soaring Association
- Registered owner: Lowcountry Soaring Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1992
- Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland, runway 3, 3,100 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 121 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19920727039169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920727039169A), Jul 27, 1992: Scwzer SGS126E, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. Crash landed off airport due to windshift on final from approaching thunderstrom. Overshot runway due to tailwind.

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.