# NTSB MIA98LA218: Schweizer SGS 1-34, N7631, Pensacola, FL, August 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1998, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Pensacola, FL - Coordinates: 30.500406, -87.37078 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5004&lon=-87.3708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43567 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43567/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA218 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper sink rate during an emergency landing resulting in impact with trees and subsequent stall and impact with the terrain. ## Analysis The pilot stated that the glider was about 100 feet above ground level, and attached to the tow airplane when the canopy suddenly opened. He climbed to 200 feet, released the towrope, and made a 180-degree left turn to return to the airport. As he cleared a wooded area before the runway, he noticed that his sink rate was too high. He pulled up, but his right wingtip brushed the top of a tree. The airplane stalled and crashed about 300 feet short of the runway. According to the pilot, the canopy's latching mechanism did not reveal any malfunctions during preflight or postcrash examination. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1998, about 1315 central daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-34 glider, N7631, registered to Coastal Soaring Association Inc, operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while on approach for a forced landing at Coastal Airport, Pensacola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the pilot sustained no injuries. The flight originated from the same airport about 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that when he was about 100 feet off the ground, the canopy suddenly opened. He had no indication that it would become unlatched. The canopy remained attached to the glider, hanging on the left side of the fuselage. The pilot kept climbing to 200 feet, released the towing latch, and performed a 180 degree turn to the left to return to the airport for landing. When he was approaching the runway, he realized that his sink rate was very high. While pulling up on the stick to try to clear a wooded area before the runway, the right wingtip brushed the top of a tree. The airplane stalled and crash into the ground about 300 feet before the runway. According to the pilot, the canopy's latching mechanism did not reveal any malfunctions during preflight or postcrash examination. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - window,canopy - open (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - descent - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, approach - object - tree(s) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7631](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7631-2013-02-26), registration cancelled 2013-02-26, S/N 11, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer SGS 1-34 - Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-34](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-34) (registry code 8050146) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 11 - Airframe hours: 1241 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Coastal Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1998, 4 hours before - Departed: 83J, FL - Airport: 83J, Coastal Airport, runway 18, 2,500 × 250 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 106 total, 9 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - 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 19980801026789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980801026789A), Aug 1, 1998: Scwzer SGS134, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that when he was about 100 feet off the ground, and attached to the tower airplane, his canopy suddenly opened. He climbed to 200 fet,… ## Other investigations on N7631 (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW78FPA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPA25), May 27, 1978: Schweizer SGS134 (N7631), Fate, TX, substantial damage 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.